Six members of Trinity’s diving program competed at the Zone Regional Feb. 27-28, with two coming away with qualifying scores for nationals.
After one day of competition at the Zone Regional, Danielle Freund and Sarah Kate Mrkonich finished first and second, respectively, in the 3-meter board to qualify for nationals.
With her score of 452.80 after 11 dives, Freund won first place honors. Mrkonich finished just behind her teammate with a second-place score of 447.80. Mollie Patzke and Christine Peterson finished fourth and seventh, respectively.
The 1-meter board event took place the following day.
Mrkonich continued her success, earning second-place with 11 dives and a score of 431.80. Patzke (fifth at 400.60), Peterson (sixth at 379.65), Alexa Bird (13th at 321.50) and Sara Miller (18th at 247.35) all performed well on day two as well.
Freund was especially happy with the results.
“Before zones I thought I was going to be out for the season, so I’m really excited to have the opportunity to go to nationals and continue diving,” Freud said.
Both Freund and Mrkonich qualified for nationals in both the low and high diving events at the national championship.
“I’m really psyched to be a part of [nationals], especially as a freshman,” Mrkonich said.
Trinity is well represented at nationals after qualifying for seven different events.
All-American and defending NCAA champion Stephen Culberson looks to end his Tiger career with a strong finish. Culberson comes into nationals with the sixth-best time in the nation (44.59) for the 100-yard freestyle, his champion event last year. Culberson is also competing in the 50 freestyle with the fourth-best time in the nation (20.21).
Culberson is also joining teammates Isaac Johnson, Tom Jones and Adam Thomas for the men’s 200-medley relay team.
Lydia Jones of the women’s program is participating in the 50- and 100-freestyle events L. Jones is joined by teammates Lindsay Hagmann, Lauren Cuda and Bethany Rysak as part of the 13th best 200-freestyle relay team in the nation (1:35.03).
The NCAA Championships began this past Wednesday, March 18 and will conclude tomorrow, March 21 in Shenandoah, Texas.
