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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Kelli Stockton of the Virginia Tech women’s diving squad automatically qualified for the 2012 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, as she won the women’s platform event on the final day of the NCAA Zone A Qualifying meet at the Alumni Arena Natatorium.

“Kelli Stockton closed out the meet getting the last available spot for the women by winning the platform event,” commented head diving coach Ron Piemonte. “She was dominant in the event, and I couldn’t be happier with the way she competed.”

After receiving a score of 292.15, which was over thirty points higher than the second place finisher in the preliminary round, Stockton finished with a final score of 298.50 to win the title. The freshman will join her four other teammates, Logan Shinholser, Ryan Hawkins, Logan Kline and Kaylea Arnett in the 2012 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.

Sara Mokhtari followed Stockton as she placed third with a final score of 237.10, before bringing in a score of 226.10 in the prelims.

For the men, Shinholser led the Tech men as he finished second with a prelim score of 326.35 and a final score of 322.35. Following Shinholser was freshman Kyle Butts, as he placed fourth with a career-best 328.25 in the final round.

“In summary, we have five divers (Logan Shinholser, Ryan Hawkins, Kaylea Arnett, Logan Kline and Kelli Stockton) qualified for the NCAA National Championships on all levels, the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform,” added Piemonte. “For the Hokies divers to take five out of the eight qualifying spots, is truly an amazing accomplishment. I am extremely proud of all of them.”

On Thursday, March 15, Stockton, Arnett and Kline will join the H₂Okie women in Auburn, Ala. for the 2012 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

For updates on Virginia Tech swimming & diving, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_SwimDive).