Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG (hokiesports.com) - Virginia Tech divers Kaylea Arnett, Kelli Stockton and Ryan Hawkins all wrapped up competition at the World Championship Trials Monday at the Morcom Aquatics Center on the campus of Florida State University with strong showings in their respective events. All three competed for H2Okie Aquatics club, coached by Tech diving coach Ron Piemonte.
Arnett, a rising junior from Spring, Texas, placed in two events, taking fifth place in the 3-meter springboard and third place in the synchronized women’s 3-meter springboard. The ACC Diver of the Year scored 779.45 points in the 3-meter event after 15 dives and scored 569.91 points in the synchronized event with partner Deirdre Freeman.
Stockton, a rising junior from Farifax, Va., placed 11th in the women’s 10-meter platform event. Tech’s school-record holder in the platform event scored 729.10 points after 15 dives in her event.
Hawkins, a rising senior from Charlotte, N.C., placed fifth in the men’s 10-meter platform event and ninth in the men’s 3-meter springboard. The four-time All-American and ACC champion in the platform scored 1202.50 points in the 10-meter platform event and 1086.65 point in the 3-meter springboard event.
For the individual events, divers had to complete three lists of dives to make the finals. Divers had to complete two lists in the synchronized events.
“This meet is on par with the Olympic Trials in terms of intensity,” Piemonte said. “For Virginia Tech to represent with three divers in the finals of five different events and three top-5 finishes is a testament to how strong Virginia Tech diving has become.”
The group will continue to compete over the summer at the U.S. Nationals, to be held in August in August with hopes of qualifying for international events with USA Diving.