Divers Wrap Up NCAA Zone Qualifying

March 16, 2010

March 16, 2010

COLLEGE STATION, TX – Three University of Iowa divers competed at the NCAA Zone D Diving Regional at the Student Recreation Natatorium on the campus of Texas A&M last weekend. Seniors Michael Gilligan and Frank Van Dijkhuizen and junior Veronica Rydze competed in the three-day event but fell short of qualifying for their respective NCAA Championships meet.

Gilligan wrapped up his collegiate career with a seventh-place finish in the platform final (587.05). He added a ninth-place finish in the 1-meter championship final (589.80).

Van Dijkhuizen placed 13th (302.80) in the 3-meter championship final after placing 21st in the 1-meter championship quarterfinal (229.80).

Rydze placed 26th and 31st, respectively, in the 1-meter championship quarterfinal (231.70) and 3-meter championship quarterfinal (232.40).

“It was a challenging NCAA Zone Regional,” said head diving coach Bob Rydze, a 35-year veteran of Hawkeye diving. “This is the first year since they implemented the zone qualifying that we were sent to the Texas regional. Next year we will be better prepared and we’ll be sure to get the athletes some additional time in the water before the competition.”