SPRINGFIELD, Mass., December 4, 2005 – Springfield College senior All-American Mike Shaw (Westfield, Mass.) and sophomore Ben Casavant (Acton, Mass.) placed first and second, respectively, and each posted national qualifying scores in the men’s three-meter diving competition this afternoon as the Pride finished first of seven competing squads at the SC Diving Invitational.
SC's men and women compiled a total of 139 points in the seven-team Invitational to secure first. Fairfield University took second at 69 points, followed by New York University coming in third at 57 team points, and UNH rounding out the top four with 56 points.
Shaw captured first place in the three-meter diving competition with a score of 523.70, while Casavant took second (509.80) in the 14-diver field consisting of Division I, II, and III athletes.
Shaw was also victorious in the one-meter competition, posting another national qualifying score of 308.50. Casavant placed second on the one-meter with a score of 245.65.
On the women’s side, Shana Dege of the University of New Hampshire placed first in both the one (245.65) and three-meter (422.10) diving events. Fellow Wildcat diver, Taryn Persia placed second in the three-meter competition with a score of 408.85.
In the women’s one-meter event, Springfield College had a very impressive day with four divers placing in the top six. In the six-dive competition, freshman Erin White (Glastonbury, Conn.) captured second with a score of 219.95, senior Naomi Shencavitz (Oneonta, N.Y.) came in third (199.6), senior Sarah Healy (Milton, Mass.) placed fifth (193.8) and junior Natasha Skowronski (Adams, Mass.)finished sixth (192.95).
Both the SC men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will travel to Middlebury next Saturday (Dec. 10) to compete at 1:00 p.m.
Springfield College Diving Invitational - Final Team Scores
John Taffe enters his 24th season in 2012-2013 as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Springfield College. Under Taffe’s leadership, the Pride has returned to its status as one of the best collegiate swimming and diving programs in Division III.Read more.
Peter Avdoulos is regarded as one of the top diving coaches in the nation, and is entering his 28th season as the diving coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2012-2013. The current NEWMAC Men's and Women's Diving Coach of the Year, Avdoulos has coached countless All-New England and All-American divers, as well as several National Champions. Read more.