FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 8, 2021) – Sophomore Melissa Mirafuentes punched her ticket to the 2021 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships with an eighth place finish in the 1-meter on Monday at the NCAA Zone Championships. For the women, the top 12 earn an NCAA championship bid, while the top seven on the men's side advance.   
 
After posting a preliminary score of 259.65 to place ninth, she would advance to the 18-particpant final. Mirafuentes scored 271.90 in the finals for a combined score of 531.55.
 
"It was a good first day at Zones with Melissa punching her ticket to the NCAA Championships with an eighth place finish," head diving coach Ted Everett said. "Last year, she was 18^th in the event so this was a great improvement. It also take a little pressure of the 3-meter and platform."
 
On the men's side, the Cowboys were represented by junior Brendan Byrnes and freshman Juan Gonzalez in the 3-meter. Gonzalez had a top ten finish with a score of 321.00 to advance to the finals followed by Byrnes with a six dive total of 265.00 to place 16^th. Gonzalez finished with a final score of 302.25 for a combined total of 623.25 for a tenth place finish. Byrnes posted a total score of 525.70 for 18^th.
 
"On the men's side, both reached the finals and gained valuable experience. Juan was in the hunt to qualify up until his final dive. Brendan had an up and down day, but still feel like he did some good things."
 
Mirafuentes will continue competition tomorrow on the 3-meter while Byrnes and Gonzalez will be competing in the platform. Preliminaries are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. MT at the Wall Aquatic Center in Flagstaff.