Diver Devin Burnett Qualifies For NCAA Championship

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Diver Devin Burnett Qualifies For NCAA Championship
NCAA Championships are March 22-24 in Seattle

March 10, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa (SMU) - Freshman diver Devin Burnett qualified for the Men's NCAA Diving Championship after a strong showing at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships this weekend. He kicked off the meet with an 11th-place finish in the one-meter dive, totaling a score of 604.40. Burnett placed 10th in the three-meter event, netting 670.75 points. He took fourth place in the platform dive with a score of 718.60, securing his spot at the NCAA Championship. Burnett will compete in all three events for the Mustangs.

"To qualify for the NCAAs as a freshman is a tremendous accomplishment," said diving coach Jim Stillson. "Devin had a terrific performance; he showed just what a competitor he is. Everything came down to the last event. He needed to step up to the next level to make the NCAAs, and from the first dive to the last, he showed the resolve and competitive spirit necessary to be a champion. I could not be more proud or any happier with this group of athletes."

Fellow freshman Hayden Hodges advanced to the finals of both the three-meter and platform dives. Hodges placed ninth in the platform dive with a score of 553.30 and came in 15th in the three-meter dive with 315.45 points. He was 21st in the one-meter dive (273.85).

Senior Richard Cornelius finished 11th in the platform dive with a total of 503.50 points. Cornelius placed 22nd in the one-meter dive (267.95) and 23rd in the three-meter dive (277.40).

Women's diver Sky Corbett-Methot placed 23rd in the three-meter dive (258.25) and 37th in the one-meter dive (210.20).

Burnett will compete in the Men's NCAA Diving Championship March 22-24 in Seattle.