Bernatsky Finishes 15th in 1-Meter

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Iowa freshman Zita Bernatsky placed 15th off the one-meter springboard on day one of the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships at the Student Recreation Natatorium. 

The Winnipeg, Canada, native tallied 275.90 points to place 10th during the preliminary six dives and advance to the finals. At the evening session and after six more dives, Bernatsky finished with a score of 549.60 and placed 15th in her NCAA Zone Diving Championships debut. She was the only freshman to make the finals of the one-meter.

“I am proud of the Hawkeyes today”, diving coach Todd Waikel said. “Zita ended up 15th and was five points out of making NCAA’s. This was a great showing for the only freshman in the final. We will carry this momentum through to the 3-meter tomorrow and platform on Wednesday. The team is poised and ready for great performances over the next two days.”

Seniors Geneva Pauly and Lainey Woodward and sophomore Stephanie Avram competed in the preliminary round of the one-meter dive with Bernatsky. 

Pauly placed 29th with 250.70 points, Woodward came in 36th with 239.90 points and Avram finished 51st with 220.20 points. 

Up Next: The Hawkeyes will return to the diving well on Tuesday afternoon to compete off the three-meter springboard. Action will begin with prelims at noon and finals at 3 p.m. (CT). Bernatsky, Pauly and Woodward will compete for the Hawkeyes. Freshman Kamila Swanson will make her NCAA Zone Diving debut.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
1-Meter Dive Prelims
10. Zita Bernatsky - 275.90
29. Geneva Pauly - 250.70
36. Lainey Woodward - 239.90
51. Stephanie Avram - 220.20

1-Meter Dive Finals
15. Zita Bernatsky - 549.60