TUCSON – Arizona divers swept the podium on day one of the Wildcat Diving Invitational as Samantha Pickens won the women's 3 meter championship while Rafael Quintero was victorious on the men's 1 meter.
On the women's side, which includes 33 total divers, the Wildcats owned the podium in the 3 meter, with Pickens taking first with a score of 359.35, Michal Bower taking second with a 295.10 and Sally Hackett finishing third at 283.40.
Chelsea Jackson of NAU finished fourth while Arizona's Izzy Diamond rounded out the top five.
In the consolation final, the Cats took the top two spots. Karolyn Loftus finished with a score of 250.50 just ahead of Kaitlin Costello who took second with a score of 241.30.
On the men's side, which includes eight divers, Rafael Quintero earned yet another victory in the 1 meter, posting a score of 356.10. Kevin Dreesen of BYU kept the men from sweeping the podium as well as he finished second with a total of 339.30. Arizona's Dominic Ricotta and Carter Craft finished second and third with scores of 319.00 and 318.65, respectively.
BYU's Nathan Gonzales was fifth in the event with a score of 305.80.
The Arizona Diving Invitational continues tomorrow at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, with diving set to get under way at noon. The invitational will conclude on Sunday.
