KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — LSU divers Niko Dalman and Matt Vieke picked up where they left off Saturday at the Tennessee Diving Invitational as each advanced to the final round of the men’s competition for the second consecutive session Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn.Dalman secured his second top-10 finish in as many days, taking eighth in the men’s three-meter springboard with a six-dive total of 325.50. Vieke also gained a spot in the top 10, edging Pittsburgh’s Collin Forner (301.70) for 10th-place with 302.40 points. Freshman Brian Gemberling posted a 279.75 score in the three-meter preliminaries to finish 19th.On the women’s side, freshman Chelsea McCorvey closed strong to earn a top-20 finish in the one-meter prelims, placing 19th with a 232.05 mark. Fellow freshman Katie Lybbert registered a score of 215.80.”It was another good day for us,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “I thought Matt Vieke stood out again today with his performance on the three-meter, making it into the finals again. He didn’t have his highest score, but he executed some of his dives better than he’s ever done.”There are always areas where we could have been a little bit better, but I think individually, with the level of competition at this meet and where we are in the season, I’m optimistic with what we’re doing and the direction we’re moving in.”Alabama’s Aaron Fleshner captured his second event title of the invite, winning the men’s three-meter crown. Florida’s Kara Salamone seized first-place in the women’s one-meter.The Tennessee Diving Invitational concludes Monday with the men’s and women’s platform competitions. Start time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. (CST).
LSU diving duo advances to second day of Tennessee invitational – 1/4
By LSU Athletic Department news release
January 4, 2009