UCLA
Trojan Diving Invitational
Neave Wins 1M Title at Trojan Diving Invite
November 08, 2019 | Swimming & Diving
LOS ANGELES – Junior Ruby Neave was crowned the champion of the women's 1-meter diving event on Friday afternoon to highlight UCLA's first day at the 2019 Trojan Diving Invitational.
Neave led all competitors after the preliminary round with a score of 292.70, her best 1M score so far this year. Nursing a double-digit lead heading into the finals, Neave recorded a 277.80 in her second session to retain the top score and earn the win with a final tally of 570.20.
"She did a great job with everything except one group, otherwise the rest of her list was good," said UCLA head diving coach Tom Stebbins. "All the parts that we're working on are sort of starting to show. The thing that's cool with her is she's really far away from her ultimate potential."
Junior Alice Yanovsky (504.65) and freshman Hannah Butler (504.05) recorded nearly identical scores to place seventh and ninth overall, respectively.
Freshman Katie Shaheen also qualified for the 1M finals in her collegiate debut, placing 17th with a final mark of 440.90.
"It'd be nice to be satisfied with today, but we have lot still to work on," said Stebbins.
After averaging just over 40 points with the first two dives of her prelims list, Neave created separation for herself by nailing dives No. 3-5, scoring over 50 points on all three and recording the most points of any divers in each of those rounds. She finished with a 49.40 on her last prelim attempt, a 5333D, to head into the finals with a 13-point cushion over second-place Carly Souza of USC.
The Melbourne native had a similar run in the finals, posting sub-50 scores on each of her first three dives before rallying to post either the best or second-best score of any diver in the final three rounds of the afternoon. She clinched the title with a 50.70 on her final dive, a second go-round of the 5333D.
Neave has now posted NCAA Zones-qualifying scores in each of her four 1M outings this season.
The Bruins continue action at the Trojan Diving Invitational on Saturday with the 3M championship. Prelims are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. with finals following at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
