North Carolina State University Athletics
Davies Wins National Title in Platform Diving
3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
COLLEGE STATION, Texas Kristin Davies used a 339.65 in the platform dive to collect NC State’s first ever national championship in diving on Saturday, March 21, during the final day of the NCAA Championships.
“This is a huge accomplishment for Kristin, Wolfpack swimming and diving, and NC State athletics as a whole,” said head swimming and diving coach Brooks Teal. “We are so proud of her. She definitely rose to the highest level at the right time, and this is a testimony to her hard work and perseverance, as well as the great job that her and diving coach Jenny Keim Johansen have done all year long.”
Davies becomes the first national champion in the history of the Wolfpack women’s swimming and diving program. Six national championships have come from the men’s side.
“It was absolutely an amazing night,” said diving coach Johansen. “All of the pieces fell in place and Kristin deserved everything she got. She worked hard all year long and this was absolutely her best performance of the season. She did an incredible job in winning the national championship, and it’s something that she will remember for the rest of her life."
Davies got things started earlier in the day with a 272.55 for eighth-place in the prelims, securing her spot in the evenings final round and cementing her status as a full-fledged All-America. A year ago Davies took 13th at the NCAA Championships, grabbing honorable mention All-America status.
In the finals, Davies took control in the second round and led the rest of the way. Texas’ Jessica Livingston took second on a 321.50.
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones won the last national championship for the Wolfpack swimming and diving program, taking the 50 freestyle crown in 2006.
“Tonight was an awesome night,” said Davies. “This is the end of my diving career and I’m really happy that it ended on such a good night. A personal best, and an NCAA title -- I couldn’t ask for more.
“It’s an incredible feeling to know that I am the first women’s champion in the history of the NC State swimming and diving program, but I know that I will not be the last,” said Davies. “I’m excited to be able to add my name to the list of NCAA Champions at Casey Natatorium on campus."
NC State women's swimming and diving finished tied with Hawaii for 29th-place overall at the NCAA Championships
Davies’ dive wraps up a whirlwind day for NC State athletics. Prior to her performance at the NCAA’s wrestler Darrion Caldwell won a National Championship of his own at 149 pounds, while the Wolfpack gymnastics team captured the EAGL title at home in Reynolds Coliseum.
