FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 10, 2021) – Behind a second place finish in the platform, sophomore
Melissa Mirafuentes qualified for her third event at the 2021 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships which will take place Wednesday-Saturday, March 17-20 in Greensboro, N.C. She is the first individual for the Cowgirls since
Karla Contreras in 2018 to qualify out of Zone E in all three events.
The two-time champion Mountain West Champion in the platform, she scored a season-best score of 299.50 for a second place spot in the finals. With a five dive score of 293.80, she would remain in second with a combined score of 593.30. Mirafuentes qualified for the same event a season ago but was unable to compete due to the COVID pandemic.
"What a tremendous finish to the Zone meet," head diving coach
Ted Everett said. "One again, Melissa improved on her season-best. She is really trending the right way going into the NCAA Championships. She was second all the way through the competition and looked like she was clearly the best diver behind only the defending world championship bronze medalist in the platform."
In the 1-meter men's competition, freshman
Juan Gonzalez turned in a preliminary performance of 295.75 for a ninth place finish. He had a final score of 258.85 combined for a total of 554.60 which was 12
th. Junior
Brendan Byrnes went 265.10 after a six total dives for a 16
th spot but improved two spots with a final score of 532.95.
"Both Juan and Brendan did a respectable jobs and showed that they belong at this level," Everett added. "I was very proud of the way Brendan fought through adversity after missing his first three dives in the finals. He came back strong and actually did some of his best dives of the year. Juan gained valuable experience and exposure to the other programs in the zone. He is a very talented diver and now knows what it will take to push to get even better."
Mirafuentes will participate in the 2021 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship which is set to begin on Wednesday, March 17, in Greensboro, N.C. She will open up on the 1-meter board which is set for Thursday, March 18 with preliminaries at 8 a.m. MT at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
