In a thrilling display at the Zone B Championships in Athens, Georgia, four Tennessee divers punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships on Monday. The Vols and Lady Vols showcased their prowess, with Desharne Bent-Ashmeil and Lynae Shorter leading the charge for the Lady Vols in the three-meter competition, following their success in the one-meter event on Sunday.
Bent-Ashmeil dazzled with a third-place finish, posting a combined score of 736.10, while Shorter wasn't far behind, securing fifth place with a score of 664.45. Their consistent performances across both events underscore their readiness for the national stage.
Emma Rhines also made waves for the Lady Vols, finishing 11th in the three-meter. She still has a shot at the NCAA Championships with a strong showing in the platform competition on Tuesday, needing a seventh-place finish to advance.
On the men's side, Bennett Greene and Thomas Ciprick made history as the first Vols to qualify for the national championship this year, both excelling in the one-meter event. Greene emerged victorious with an impressive score of 793.00, while Ciprick's solid performance earned him third place with 768.00.
Senior Nick Stone and teammate Frazer Tavener also competed, with Stone finishing 15th and Tavener 20th in the one-meter. Both are set to take on the three-meter challenge on Tuesday, joined by Owen Redfearn, as they aim to continue Tennessee's strong showing.
With these performances, the Tennessee divers have set a high bar, and their journey to the NCAA Championships promises to be an exciting one to watch.