Mertz Qualifies for the NCAA Championships With Strong Performance on the Platform
March 15, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. –
Kansas’ Erin Mertz placed seventh on the Platform Championship at the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Diving Championships Sunday which was a strong enough performance to earn her a berth at next week’s NCAA Championships.
Sixteen divers participated in the platform event, and Mertz scored 450.20 points for a seventh-place finish. That performance coupled with her fifth-place finish on the one-meter board earned her a spot at the NCAA Championships. For the sophomore, it will be her first appearance at the NCAA Championships.
“I’m so proud of all of our divers,” said Kansas diving coach Eric Elliott. “Erin was mentally tough and dove great. She is very deserving of a berth at the NCAA’s.”
Mertz will join Maria Mayrovich and Iuliia Kuzhil as the Jayhawk participants at next weekend’s NCAA Championships in College Station, Texas.
Senior Hannah McMacken placed ninth on the platform with a score of 430.35. McMacken finished in the top 12 in all three diving events.
“I’m really going to miss Hannah,” said Elliott. “She was my first recruit at Kansas and was a joy to coach all four years. She really improved and had a really solid diving career.”
Junior Meghan Proehl finished in 14th place with a score of 392.00 points. Proehl’s top performance came on the one-meter board, where she placed eighth.
“Meghan has one more year and just continues to get better,” said Elliott. “I think she is going to have a great senior season.”
Texas’ Shelby Cullinan won the platform diving championship with a score of 595.90 points.
For complete results, please click on the link above.
Please check back with kuathletics.com for a preview and results from the NCAA Championships.
Kansas Platform Results
7. Erin Mertz – 450.20 points
9. Hannah McMacken – 430.35 points
14. Meghan Proehl – 392.00 points
