LARAMIE, Wyo. – Freshman Elizabeth Holmes placed third in all events while senior Matt Denkers earned BYU’s first platform zone cut of the season during the two-day Wyoming Diving Invite.
“I am so proud and encouraged by a lot of great performances from the men’s and women’s teams,” BYU dive coach Tyce Routson said. “Elizabeth Holmes has shown outstanding consistency in finals and was our top finisher, earning third on all three events. Thanks to Wyoming for holding a last-minute invite and providing great competition before our conference meet.”
During the two-day competition, the Cougars earned 17 new season highs with many divers posting a season high on the platform. For the men, Denkers, Nathan Gonzales, Ryan Evans and Kimble Mahler earned platform season highs as well as Holmes, Morgan Paul and Kaylie Jackson for the women.
BYU represented well in the top-three in all events for both the men and women, including Holmes' top-three finishes in every event. Holmes took second on platform with season high of 200.25, third in the 1-meter with a score of 247.70 and third on the 3-meter at 275.80.
On the first day of the completion, Holmes took third posting a score of 257.60 with Morgan Mellow following in fourth at 243.55 in the women’s 1-meter prelims. Paul then came in fifth with a new season high of 238.80. Adia London also recorded a new season high of 227.80 to advance. In the finals, London bested that season high with a 241.55 for fifth place.
Gonzales took first place in the men’s 3-meter prelims with a 344.55. Denkers followed in second place, earning a new season high of 322.15. Morgan Cooper and Evans also qualified for finals with scores of 280.25 and 279.30, respectively.
In the men’s 3-meter finals, Denkers took third, besting his season high earned in the prelims with a score of 328.05. Gonzales followed in fourth, recording a 316.35.
During the second day of the competition, Gonzales took first with a score of 344.55 in the men’s 1-meter prelims. Mahler came in third with a season high of 298.55, followed by Denkers in fourth at 289.55. In the finals, the men swept the podium. Denkers came in first with a season high of 326.85, followed by a new season high from Cooper at 314.25 for second place. Gonzales took third place with a 294.40.
Denkers recorded a season high and BYU’s first platform zone cut with a score of 300.70 in prelims. Gonzales came in third with a new season high at 276.95 on the platform which he bested in finals at 297.70. Evans and Mahler also recorded season highs on the platform with scores of 242.95 and 237.15, respectively.
The Cougars have two weeks off as they prepare for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship held from Feb. 12-14 in Los Angeles.