Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Sophomores Kelli Stockton and Kyle Butts of the Virginia Tech diving squad automatically qualified for the 2013 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships on Sunday, the final day of the NCAA Zone A Championships, at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. Stockton heads to her second National Championships, while Butts advances for the first time in his young career.
Stockton advanced as she won the women’s platform event. She took an overall score of 569.85 to win the event by 20 points to be the third female on the Tech squad to secure a place at the NCAA Championships.
As the top three competitors on the men’s side are already qualified, it opened up the men’s 1-meter event fourth-place spot that allowed Butts to advance. The sophomore scored a 632.90 to secure the fourth-place finish on Friday.
Logan Shinholser led the H2Okies this weekend as he swept the competition. Today the senior took a score of 855.20, over 100 points than any other competitor to win the men's platform and complete the sweep.
Stockton and Butts will join senior Logan Shinholser, junior Ryan Hawkins, senior Logan Kline and sophomore Kaylea Arnett at the championships.
The 2013 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships begin Thursday, March 21, with the women’s portion in Indianapolis, Ind., at the IUPUI Sports Complex. The men’s National Championship will begin a week later Thursday, March 28 at the same venue.