UCLA
NCAA Zone E Diving Championships
Belanger Qualifies for NCAAs on 1M
March 05, 2018 | Swimming & Diving
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. โ Ten days after becoming just the second UCLA woman to win Pac-12 titles for one-meter and three-meter diving in the same year, Eloise Belanger clinched her third trip to NCAA Championships in as many chances with a strong performance on Day 1 the NCAA Zone E Championships. The junior turned in a total score of 608.55 to take second on 1M, with two events still to go.
Belanger was clutch down the stretch in the preliminary round, earning scores of at least 50 on her final three divesโone of just two divers to accomplish that feat. Her 5333D sixth dive scored 55.90 to place her third heading into the final. Senior Ciara Monahan (254.80) finished 19th, just outside of the top 18 and a berth in the final. She will have another chance to qualify for NCAAs, as will Alice Yanovsky (253.50, 21st) and Traci Shiver (239.55, 31st).
With preliminary-round scores carrying over into the final, Belanger was in good shape as one of just three divers with a score of 300 or higher. Nonetheless, the Montreal, QC, Canada native one-upped herself in the final, scoring 50 or higher on five dives. Her 105B third dive, as well as her 5333D final dive, went for a score of 54.60. Belanger finished second on the day, trailing just Sharae Zhang of Nevada (647.35).
Tuesday, the women's divers will take 3M. The preliminary round will begin at 10 a.m., with the final round getting started at approximately 1:35 p.m. Once again, the top nine combined scorers will earn an NCAAs trip. Additionally, if a diver earns a qualifying spot in at least one event and a top-12 spot in another event, she will also qualify for NCAAs in that event.
Players Mentioned
