Completed Event: Swimming and Diving versus Big 12 Duals on January 16, 2026 , , 5th, 781 points
Final
Swimming and Diving
Big 12 Duals
5th, 781 points
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Iowa State University Athletics
With Zone Qualification Accomplished, Nicholson Looks Ahead
11.09.2011 | Swimming and Diving
AMES, Iowa- After many close meets, redshirt sophomore diver Jessica Nicholson has finally achieved her hard earned spot to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships in March. Nicholson earned her ticket against South Dakota State on the 3-meter board with a personal best score of 291.15, moving her to eighth All-Time on the 3-meter for the Cyclones.
"I felt really good about it and I am glad that I qualified early and I want to progress in my scores," Nicholson said. "It was really great diving at the facility that we were at and to use the opportunity that I had and just get those scores up."
The Des Moines native's hard work has definitely paid off early in the season, she has achieved three first-place finishes this season, with two wins on 3-meter against South Dakota and South Dakota State and a win in 1-meter against South Dakota State.
"I want to stay consistent, I think that South Dakota State was the first meet that I haven't had one dive go bad," Nicholson said. "There's always that one dive where you just miss it by a hair."
Nicholson finished last season with season high scores of 254.91 on the 1-meter board and 272.93 on the 3-meter board.
"Jessica has had more experience but I think that her consistency has really improved," diving coach Jeff Warrick stated. "Last year she came really close to making her zone score here and there, but she would always be off somewhere. This year, her first couple of meets were that way, but the South Dakota and South Dakota State weekend she really stepped it up."
Nicholson finished last season with a 14th place finish on platform at the Big 12 Championships with a career-best score of 194.15.
"She has really stepped it up in practice and those dives that were a little harder for her are now easier," Warrick stated. "It's her hard work and especially in the weight room, her strength is making things easier."
With the Cyclones next competition at the TYR Northwestern Invitational Nov. 18-20, the meet will help prepare Nicholson for the zone meet as well provide great competition.
"Zone's is in the back of her mind, but part of the preparation will be the TYR Invitational," Warrick said. "The meet is a lot bigger than duals and there is deeper competition and a good preparation for the zone meet. Later in the season we will be doing some simulations for the meet, such as same warm up time, training and things like that."
Nicholson's strong work ethic and dedication as well as constant support from her family and friends has helped her succeed throughout the season and she is looking to continue to improve her own personal scores.
"I felt really good about it and I am glad that I qualified early and I want to progress in my scores," Nicholson said. "It was really great diving at the facility that we were at and to use the opportunity that I had and just get those scores up."
The Des Moines native's hard work has definitely paid off early in the season, she has achieved three first-place finishes this season, with two wins on 3-meter against South Dakota and South Dakota State and a win in 1-meter against South Dakota State.
"I want to stay consistent, I think that South Dakota State was the first meet that I haven't had one dive go bad," Nicholson said. "There's always that one dive where you just miss it by a hair."
Nicholson finished last season with season high scores of 254.91 on the 1-meter board and 272.93 on the 3-meter board.
"Jessica has had more experience but I think that her consistency has really improved," diving coach Jeff Warrick stated. "Last year she came really close to making her zone score here and there, but she would always be off somewhere. This year, her first couple of meets were that way, but the South Dakota and South Dakota State weekend she really stepped it up."
Nicholson finished last season with a 14th place finish on platform at the Big 12 Championships with a career-best score of 194.15.
"She has really stepped it up in practice and those dives that were a little harder for her are now easier," Warrick stated. "It's her hard work and especially in the weight room, her strength is making things easier."
With the Cyclones next competition at the TYR Northwestern Invitational Nov. 18-20, the meet will help prepare Nicholson for the zone meet as well provide great competition.
"Zone's is in the back of her mind, but part of the preparation will be the TYR Invitational," Warrick said. "The meet is a lot bigger than duals and there is deeper competition and a good preparation for the zone meet. Later in the season we will be doing some simulations for the meet, such as same warm up time, training and things like that."
Nicholson's strong work ethic and dedication as well as constant support from her family and friends has helped her succeed throughout the season and she is looking to continue to improve her own personal scores.
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