March 8, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Although the Illinois State swimming and diving team's 2005-06 regular season has ended, senior diver Emily Hirt will continue to compete in the first round of the NCAA Diving Regionals. Hirt will be competing in zone C, hosted by Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. The competition will begin on Friday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. and will continue through Sunday, March 12.
Head diving coach Tom Davidson is looking forward to Hirt's national debut.
"Emily really deserves to be there," said Davidson. "We have been working on consistency and the last three practices she has looked really good. I don't want her to focus on the competition, but rather her overall game plan. If she stays consistent she should be put in the top half and go out well."
On Friday, the qualified divers will be competing on the one-meter board, with competition continuing on Saturday with the three-meter board. Divers will then qualify for the NCAA Championships based on their finishes at the zone meet.
Hirt, who qualified for Regionals at the Purdue meet with a score of 266.17, is excited about the opportunity to compete with the top divers from across the region.
"I am excited to go to that pool with such caliber of divers," said Hirt. "It should be a fun and tough competition for my last meet. My family will be there and I am excited to perform with them there. I have been preparing for the competition and I have been happy with the last couple days of practice. I f I dive consistent and well I will be happy. This has been a tremendous opportunity and I just want to make the most of it."
