Colorado State University Athletics
Swimming & diving preview: CSU diving prepares for Zones
3/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
March 7, 2015
Weekly Release #9 (PDF)
Colorado State diving coach Kevin Witt has produced several strong divers over his nine seasons at CSU, but this group may be the most talented. For the first time that he can remember, every diver that competed this season qualified for NCAA Zones, which will take place Monday-Wednesday at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
"I don't remember it ever happening before," Witt said. "All four of our divers this season qualified, and the two divers that weren't able to compete were qualifiers last year, so I'm confident that if we were at full strength we'd be 6-for-6, which is quite an accomplishment."
Senior Melissa Bollig and junior Paige Greely were unable to compete this season due to injury, but the other four more than made up for the lost production. Led by junior Ariana Milone, who now owns school records on both springboards, CSU was one of the top diving teams in the conference, scoring 46 points at last month's Championships. During the Rams' nine dual meets, the divers were out-scored just once.
"This group is very talented," Witt said. "They work hard, and I know they'll continue to work hard. They're exciting to coach."
All four divers qualified in the 1-Meter, with Milone also qualifying on the 3-Meter boards. In addition to the team's second-best score on 1-Meter, senior Mary Kate Hardy is the team-leader on Platform, scoring at conference. Sophomore Emily Williams and freshman Erin Taylor are first-time Zones qualifiers, although Taylor will not compete due to an injury sustained prior to the Championships. Hardy competed last year, as well, while this will be Milone's third time at the premier competition.
While Zones is the pinnacle event for many divers, Witt believes it will be a fun and relaxing environment for his student-athletes.
"I see Zones as a reward for them," he said. "It's not as stressful as the conference meet, where you're trying to get team points. Instead, it's about each individual trying to put up their best performances and to see how they stack up against the best divers from conferences like the Pac-12 and others."
Nearly 100 divers from more than 20 schools in the region are expected to compete in the three-day event.
CHAMPIONSHIPS HIGHLIGHTS
CSU went into last month's Mountain West Championships looking to build off of its second-consecutive winning dual-meet season. While the team finish wasn't the statement the Rams were hoping to make, several individuals had strong, and even record-breaking performances, throughout the Championships.
Highlights:
ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST PERFORMERS
Three members of the Colorado State swimming & diving program earned 2014-15 Women's Swimming & Diving All-Mountain West team honors. The selections were awarded to the top eight finishers in individual events and the top three relay teams from last month's Championships in San Antonio, Texas. Junior diver Ariana Milone earned recognition for her second-place score on 3-Meter and third-place finish on 1-Meter. Freshman Katie Kicklighter earned all-conference honors in the 50 Freestyle, while senior Tess Simpson was recognized for her performance in the 100 Breaststroke.
Even with one year of eligibility still remaining, Milone will go down as one of the best divers in CSU history. The native of The Woodlands, Texas, set school records on both springboard events last week, in addition to a 15th-place finish on Platform.
"We were short-handed, so I thought Ariana's performances were very important," head diving coach Kevin Witt said, noting the fact that three of CSU's six divers - each NCAA Zones qualifiers - were unable to participate in the meet due to injury. "Ari had to step up, and she really did. She wanted to get a medal, and she ended up doing that on both boards. I've honestly never seen her dive that well. She was really on, was consistent and was doing everything better than she ever had before."
Senior Tess Simpson has had an illustrious career at CSU, scoring at each season's Championships, and even being part of two school-record relay teams. In her final meet, however, she accomplished something she had never done before. In the 100 Breaststroke, Simpson clocked a 1:02.37, qualifying for her first-ever A-Final. That evening, she shaved six-hundredths of a second off of her preliminary time (1:02.31) to finish in sixth place and earn All-Mountain West honors. The time was the second-fastest in school history and was an NCAA B-cut time.
"Tess is very determined, but she's also very soft spoken," Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. "I think for her, it was more happiness than anything else. I think she was excited that she was an All-Mountain West performer and almost broke an individual school record. She finished on such a high note, and I'm really happy for her."
After being 12-hundredths of a second away from qualifying for the NCAA Championships earlier this season, freshman Katie Kicklighter met the B-cut requirement, touching the wall in the 50 Freestyle at 22.95. The time made her the fifth-best performer in school history, and later that night while competing in the A-Final, swam a 23:34 and earned 11 points with an eighth-place finish.
"It's a big accomplishment," Woodard said. "After her relay split the first night of 21.8, I think we both were hoping for a little bit more, but she got two out of three lifetime bests, and I think she understands what's expected and how to approach that meet. We'll reload and make her a very dangerous athlete for next year."
RECORD-BREAKING DIVER
Junior diver Ariana Milone has been a top competitor since the moment her career began. Following her first collegiate meet in 2012, she was named Mountain West Diver of the Week, and in three seasons at the MW Championships, she has earned all-conference honors all three years. Nothing quite compared to this year, however, when she scored in all three diving events and set school records on both springboards.
Milone had been within two points of breaking CSU's 3-Meter record two times already in 2014-15, and on Jan. 28, finally exceeded the threshold, scoring 329.03 in the team's final home meet. The previous record had been held for 13 years by Lori Vigil (324.16). It didn't take but a few weeks for Milone to shatter her own mark, scoring 356.00 during the prelims at the Championships, nearly a 27-point improvement. The score was the top mark during the preliminary round, and set her up for a second-place finish.
A day prior, she became the school's record-holder on 1-Meter, scoring 304.05 and besting Erica Torgrude's 1996 mark of 298.73. Milone finished third in the event. It was her second-consecutive All-Mountain West honor on the 1-Meter boards.
Milone was named the Mountain West Women's Diver of the Week two times this season, and throughout her career has earned the honor five times, more than any CSU swimmer or diver in program history.
BRAINY, TOO
CSU was once again recognized as one of the top academic swimming & diving programs in the nation, being named to the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) 2014 Fall Scholar All-America Teams. The CSCAA recognizes college and university teams who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher twice per year. CSU has been recognized 10 times since 2009. The team's combined GPA during the fall semester was 3.38, up from 3.03 last spring.
"I'm extremely proud of our girls' work this year in the classroom," Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. "We set a team goal of reaching a 3.3 GPA, and the girls accomplished that and then some. I love their desire to learn and excel in their chosen field of study -- I'm sure they will contribute in meaningful ways to their chosen profession."
During the 2013-14 academic year, 19 members of the swimming & diving team were recognized by the Mountain West for their academic achievements, highlighted by Melissa Bollig, who earned CSCAA Honorable Mention Scholar All-America honors. The Spring 2015 Academic All-Mountain West teams will be named in July.
RISING STARS
Twelve student-athletes scored for the Rams at the Mountain West Championships, including 10 underclassmen. Looking toward 2015-16, CSU will graduate just four of its 30 student-athletes, and brings back the majority of its production in the pool. Of the 17 individual events CSU competed in this season, 14 of the top spots are held by returners.
Colorado State diving coach Kevin Witt has produced several strong divers over his nine seasons at CSU, but this group may be the most talented. For the first time that he can remember, every diver that competed this season qualified for NCAA Zones, which will take place Monday-Wednesday at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
"I don't remember it ever happening before," Witt said. "All four of our divers this season qualified, and the two divers that weren't able to compete were qualifiers last year, so I'm confident that if we were at full strength we'd be 6-for-6, which is quite an accomplishment."
Senior Melissa Bollig and junior Paige Greely were unable to compete this season due to injury, but the other four more than made up for the lost production. Led by junior Ariana Milone, who now owns school records on both springboards, CSU was one of the top diving teams in the conference, scoring 46 points at last month's Championships. During the Rams' nine dual meets, the divers were out-scored just once.
"This group is very talented," Witt said. "They work hard, and I know they'll continue to work hard. They're exciting to coach."
All four divers qualified in the 1-Meter, with Milone also qualifying on the 3-Meter boards. In addition to the team's second-best score on 1-Meter, senior Mary Kate Hardy is the team-leader on Platform, scoring at conference. Sophomore Emily Williams and freshman Erin Taylor are first-time Zones qualifiers, although Taylor will not compete due to an injury sustained prior to the Championships. Hardy competed last year, as well, while this will be Milone's third time at the premier competition.
While Zones is the pinnacle event for many divers, Witt believes it will be a fun and relaxing environment for his student-athletes.
"I see Zones as a reward for them," he said. "It's not as stressful as the conference meet, where you're trying to get team points. Instead, it's about each individual trying to put up their best performances and to see how they stack up against the best divers from conferences like the Pac-12 and others."
Nearly 100 divers from more than 20 schools in the region are expected to compete in the three-day event.
CHAMPIONSHIPS HIGHLIGHTS
CSU went into last month's Mountain West Championships looking to build off of its second-consecutive winning dual-meet season. While the team finish wasn't the statement the Rams were hoping to make, several individuals had strong, and even record-breaking performances, throughout the Championships.
Highlights:
- Junior Ariana Milone continued her reign as one of the top divers in the league. Milone set a school record on the 3-Meter boards in January before smashing that mark at the Championships. During the preliminary round, she scored 356.00, a nearly 27-point improvement from her previous best. The score led all divers entering the finals, where Milone recorded a 338.10 - second-best in CSU history - and a second-place finish. A day earlier, she set a school record on the 1-Meter boards, posting a score of 304.05. The score earned her a third-place medal and 16 points. CSU's previous record (298.73) had been held by Erica Torgrude since 1996.
- After being 12-hundredths of a second away from qualifying for the NCAA Championships earlier this season, freshman Katie Kicklighter met the B-cut requirement, touching the wall at 22.95. The time made her the fifth-best performer in school history. She earned 11 points after placing eighth later that night in the event's finals.
- Senior Tess Simpson has had an illustrious career at CSU, scoring at each season's Championships, and even being part of two school records. In her last meet, however, she accomplished something she had never done before. On Friday in the 100 Breaststroke, Simpson touched the wall in 1:02.37, earning her first-ever A-Final. That evening, she shaved six-hundredths of a second off of her preliminary time (1:02.31), to finish in sixth place and earn All-Mountain West honors. The time was the second-fastest in school history, and was an NCAA B-cut-qualifying time.
- In addition to Milone, senior Mary Kate Hardy scored six points with an 11th-place finish on 1-Meter and five points with a 12th-place finish on Platform. Her Platform score of 212.30 was the third-best in school history. Milone placed 15th in the event with a lifetime-best score of 193.70.
- Sophomore Jenna Beaury placed 11th in the 200 Breaststroke. Her preliminary time of 2:16.24 was a personal best by nearly eight seconds, and was the fourth-best performance in school history.
- Made up of Karin Roh, Colleen Olson, Teagan Griffith and Elizabeth Prasse - a freshman and three sophomores - CSU's 800 Freestyle Relay time of 7:25.89 was the third-fastest in school history. During the final event of the weekend, the Rams' 400 Freestyle Relay team recorded the fifth-fastest time (3:24.03). The team was made up of Roh, Kicklighter, Griffith and Simpson. CSU's 200 Medley Relay team originally set a school record, but after competition was complete for the night, it was ruled that the team was disqualified for leaving the block one-hundredths of a second early, eliminating 24 points from the Rams' score.
- Eight different athletes scored in individual events for the Rams, with all but two having eligibility remaining after this season: Beaury (200 Breaststroke, 11th), Hardy (1-Meter, 11th; Platform, 12th), Alexandra Jacobs (400 IM, 15th), Kicklighter (50 Freestyle, eighth; 100 Freestyle, 12th; 100 Backstroke, 16th),Megan Lloyd (200 Butterfly, 13th), Milone (3-Meter, second; 1-Meter, third; Platform, 15th), Jessica Shepard (100 Backstroke, 14th), Simpson (100 Breaststroke; sixth; 100 Butterfly; 11th). Additionally, four others scored in relay events.
- In total, 81 percent of CSU's athletes recorded lifetime bests at the Championships.
ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST PERFORMERS
Three members of the Colorado State swimming & diving program earned 2014-15 Women's Swimming & Diving All-Mountain West team honors. The selections were awarded to the top eight finishers in individual events and the top three relay teams from last month's Championships in San Antonio, Texas. Junior diver Ariana Milone earned recognition for her second-place score on 3-Meter and third-place finish on 1-Meter. Freshman Katie Kicklighter earned all-conference honors in the 50 Freestyle, while senior Tess Simpson was recognized for her performance in the 100 Breaststroke.
Even with one year of eligibility still remaining, Milone will go down as one of the best divers in CSU history. The native of The Woodlands, Texas, set school records on both springboard events last week, in addition to a 15th-place finish on Platform.
"We were short-handed, so I thought Ariana's performances were very important," head diving coach Kevin Witt said, noting the fact that three of CSU's six divers - each NCAA Zones qualifiers - were unable to participate in the meet due to injury. "Ari had to step up, and she really did. She wanted to get a medal, and she ended up doing that on both boards. I've honestly never seen her dive that well. She was really on, was consistent and was doing everything better than she ever had before."
Senior Tess Simpson has had an illustrious career at CSU, scoring at each season's Championships, and even being part of two school-record relay teams. In her final meet, however, she accomplished something she had never done before. In the 100 Breaststroke, Simpson clocked a 1:02.37, qualifying for her first-ever A-Final. That evening, she shaved six-hundredths of a second off of her preliminary time (1:02.31) to finish in sixth place and earn All-Mountain West honors. The time was the second-fastest in school history and was an NCAA B-cut time.
"Tess is very determined, but she's also very soft spoken," Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. "I think for her, it was more happiness than anything else. I think she was excited that she was an All-Mountain West performer and almost broke an individual school record. She finished on such a high note, and I'm really happy for her."
After being 12-hundredths of a second away from qualifying for the NCAA Championships earlier this season, freshman Katie Kicklighter met the B-cut requirement, touching the wall in the 50 Freestyle at 22.95. The time made her the fifth-best performer in school history, and later that night while competing in the A-Final, swam a 23:34 and earned 11 points with an eighth-place finish.
"It's a big accomplishment," Woodard said. "After her relay split the first night of 21.8, I think we both were hoping for a little bit more, but she got two out of three lifetime bests, and I think she understands what's expected and how to approach that meet. We'll reload and make her a very dangerous athlete for next year."
RECORD-BREAKING DIVER
Junior diver Ariana Milone has been a top competitor since the moment her career began. Following her first collegiate meet in 2012, she was named Mountain West Diver of the Week, and in three seasons at the MW Championships, she has earned all-conference honors all three years. Nothing quite compared to this year, however, when she scored in all three diving events and set school records on both springboards.
Milone had been within two points of breaking CSU's 3-Meter record two times already in 2014-15, and on Jan. 28, finally exceeded the threshold, scoring 329.03 in the team's final home meet. The previous record had been held for 13 years by Lori Vigil (324.16). It didn't take but a few weeks for Milone to shatter her own mark, scoring 356.00 during the prelims at the Championships, nearly a 27-point improvement. The score was the top mark during the preliminary round, and set her up for a second-place finish.
A day prior, she became the school's record-holder on 1-Meter, scoring 304.05 and besting Erica Torgrude's 1996 mark of 298.73. Milone finished third in the event. It was her second-consecutive All-Mountain West honor on the 1-Meter boards.
Milone was named the Mountain West Women's Diver of the Week two times this season, and throughout her career has earned the honor five times, more than any CSU swimmer or diver in program history.
BRAINY, TOO
CSU was once again recognized as one of the top academic swimming & diving programs in the nation, being named to the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) 2014 Fall Scholar All-America Teams. The CSCAA recognizes college and university teams who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher twice per year. CSU has been recognized 10 times since 2009. The team's combined GPA during the fall semester was 3.38, up from 3.03 last spring.
"I'm extremely proud of our girls' work this year in the classroom," Head Coach Christopher Woodard said. "We set a team goal of reaching a 3.3 GPA, and the girls accomplished that and then some. I love their desire to learn and excel in their chosen field of study -- I'm sure they will contribute in meaningful ways to their chosen profession."
During the 2013-14 academic year, 19 members of the swimming & diving team were recognized by the Mountain West for their academic achievements, highlighted by Melissa Bollig, who earned CSCAA Honorable Mention Scholar All-America honors. The Spring 2015 Academic All-Mountain West teams will be named in July.
RISING STARS
Twelve student-athletes scored for the Rams at the Mountain West Championships, including 10 underclassmen. Looking toward 2015-16, CSU will graduate just four of its 30 student-athletes, and brings back the majority of its production in the pool. Of the 17 individual events CSU competed in this season, 14 of the top spots are held by returners.
Players Mentioned
Breaststroke, Butterfly, IM
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