Nelson Finishes 15th On Platform at Zone Diving

Thursday, March 8

Iowa City, Iowa

All Day

Iowa State

NCAA Zone 'D' Diving Championships

Nelson Finishes 15th On Platform at Zone Diving

03.10.2012 | Swimming and Diving

RESULTS

By: cyclones.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sarah Nelson wrapped up her Iowa State career Saturday at the NCAA Zone 'D' Diving Championship with a 15th-place finish in the platform diving competition at the Wellness and Recreation Center. Nelson posted a five-dive score of 219.60, missing out on the 12-diver finals by 10.00 points.

“I was happy with how she did overall," diving coach Jeff Warrick said. “Four of her five dives that she did were what we wanted to do. She made a small error on her fourth dive and unfortunately that cost us. She came out the way we wanted to and executed.”

Nelson got off to a great start on her round, posting scores of 44.40 on an inward 1 ½ somersault pike, 50.70 on a forward 2 ½ somersault pike and 49.50 on a back 2 ½ somersault tuck. The senior was 10th after three rounds but only recorded 30.00 on her reverse 1 ½ somersault pike and fell back in the pack.

“She would not have been far off her score at Big 12's if her fourth dive went to plan,” Warrick noted. “With the level of judging and competition at this meet, that would have ranked among her most impressive platform performances ever.

Nelson closed out the round and her Iowa State career with a 45.00 on her back 1 ½ somersault 1 ½ twist free.

Nelson's career had many accomplishments of note. She leaves Iowa State ranked third in school history on platform, fifth on 1-meter and ninth on 3-meter. Only two other divers in Cyclone history are currently in the top-10 on all three boards. Nelson was making her second trip to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships and recorded four top-20 finishes in her tenure at the meet. The Decorah, Iowa native also scored points for the team nine times at the Big 12 Championships.

“She has meant a lot to our program,” Warrick concluded. “She has been a super-positive person and a team player. She encourages our other divers and I could not ask for a better diver to have on the team. It is hard to let her go, but we want them to graduate and grow up. It was sad, but it was also good to see her finish her career on a strong note.”

Platform Diving
1. Sarah McCrady (Minnesota) - 559.10
15. Sarah Nelson - 219.60