GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 18, 2021) – Sophomore Melissa Mirafuentes opened up her first day at the 2021 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship in Greensboro on Thursday morning.
 
Mirafuentes turned in a preliminary score of 254.60 on the 1-meter springboard, which placed her 35^th with that mark. The top eight advance to the finals and the next eight competitors take part in the consolation final.
 
"For the first time at the big meet, Melissa dove quite well," head diving coach Ted Everett said. "The competition was incredibly tough, the judging was tight and she handled the pressure. Even in her last dive, she performed it with composure but went into the water short of vertical so the scoring was tough. If I'm honest, she performed to expectations for her first NCAA contest. It's really fun being at a competition where everyone in it is really good. Melissa only gets better as the boards get high. I think she will be better in the 3-meter tomorrow."
 
She will continue the competition tomorrow in the 3-meter board. The prelims are set for 10:30 a.m. MT followed by the finals at approximately 5 p.m. The event is taking place at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. ESPN3 will provide digital cover for the women's championship for the morning prelims and evening finals sessions, Wednesday-Saturday. The official website is www.ncaa.com/championships/swimming-women/d1 or can be followed on www.divemeets.com.