CBU Wins Two of Four Events at Lancer Dive Invite

Saturday, October 20

Riverside, Calif.

10:00 AM

California Baptist University

Lancer Dive Invite

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

CBU Wins Two of Four Events at Lancer Dive Invite

10/20/2018 9:29:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RESULTS

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- California Baptist University hosted the largest-ever Lancer Dive Invite on Saturday and came away with two of four first-place finishes and a total of eight top-eight marks.

Garret Chew and Emily Dunkerson won the 3-meter and 1-meter events on the men's and women's side, respectively. There were a total of 17 divers on the men's side and 29 on the women, with fellow NCAA Division I teams Cal Poly, UNLV, Hawaii and Pacific in attendance for what was the largest dive meet in California this year, Dive Coach Jeff Couto said.

"I couldn't be more proud of all the athletes and what they've accomplished today," Couto said. "This was a long and grueling day, we were diving from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m."

CBU had a split squad on Saturday, with the swimmers taking part in a dual at UNLV. Results were not readily available, though.

Chew won the 3-meter board with 323.55 points, with teammate Zane Freeman taking second place with a 296.05. True freshman Tyler Stevens took seventh in the event with a 225.85.

"Garret failed a dive in prelims on 3-meter, but snuck in and scored 323, which is a qualifying score for nationals," Couto said. "To do that at a big meet with tough judging is awesome to see, especially since he's only been training for a week and a half."

Freeman took fifth place on the 1-meter board (267.85), while Chew took ninth (239) and Stevens 11^th (229.05).

"It was not easy for Zane to qualify for the finals on both boards when there's more than 15 divers here. It is exciting to see him progressing and getting better and better," Couto said. "It was great to see Tyler get a top-eight finish, the future is exciting for him."

Dunkerson and Savannah Uhlir both placed in the top eight of both boards on Saturday. Dunkerson won the 1-meter board with a 250.80 in the final after posting a 244.90 in prelims, while Uhlir finished fourth with a 241.70 after a 216.75 on her first six dives.

"Emily stepped up and really competed today, while throwing two new dives," Couto said. "She is the first female diver in CBU history to throw a front 3½ and front 2½, with a full twist, which really puts her at an elite level."

"It was a really big meet, and it's my senior year so I wanted to have fun," Dunkerson said. "We threw some big dives, and I felt like I ripped it in the final on the 1-meter. It was a blast."

At 3-meter, Dunkerson and Uhlir placed third (260.85) and eighth (214.85), respectively. Dunkerson was just edged out by Ivy Houser (268.70) and Monica Gavaris (262.30) from the University of Hawaii.

"Savannah was a great surprise today, it was her birthday and she really gave herself a great gift," Couto said. "She was very consistent today and consistency is what gets you to the top."

"It was fun being neck-and-neck with Savannah all day, it pushes me to be better when I can cheer on my teammates," Dunkerson said.