Peters, Schiesl earn automatic bids at NCAA Diving Zones

Peters finishes second in 1-meter, Schiesl fifth in 3-meter

March 5, 2018

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Virginia Tech juniors Ashlynn Peters and Ben Schiesl finished with automatic qualifying scores on Monday during the first day of the NCAA Diving Zone A Championships at Rutgers Aquatic Center.

Peters and Schiesl earned berths to the NCAA Championships during the first day of competition. Peters claimed second in the women’s 1-meter out of 54 divers with a score of 581.40. Schiesl finished fifth out of 42 divers in the men’s 3-meter event with a tally of 725.55.

“Ashlynn was solid as a rock,” said diving coach Ron Piemonte. “She was second in the prelim and second in the finals and really went 12-for-12 in her dives today. Ben finished fourth in the prelims and was fifth in the finals and I’m really happy for both of them to hit the automatic bid on the first day. It takes some of the pressure off of them for the rest of the meet.”

Freshman Regan Westwood came in 11th in the women’s event with a score of 503.15 and senior Ashley Buchter qualified for finals, finishing 13th overall with 493.90.

“For Regan, as a freshman, to finish 11th is an amazing first year zone event. And Ashley to finish just outside the top-12 was a solid event for her. It sets both of them up for the 3-meter event tomorrow.”

On the men’s side, seniors Thomas Shinholser and Jack Gigliotti also qualified for the finals. Shinholser took 12th in 623.30 and Gigliotti finished just behind with a score of 622.75.

“TJ struggled a little, but for him to get 12th made a huge difference because if he can get an automatic qualifying spot on 1-meter or platform then he will be able to dive 3-meter at NCAAs. Jack is a very good 1-meter and platform diver, and I look forward to some good dives from him this week.”

Tomorrow the Hokies will be back on the boards for the men’s 1-meter and the women’s 3-meter with prelims beginning at noon.

“We are in a good position for tomorrow. There are great opportunities for those who finished outside the top-12 today and for several of our divers to earn NCAA spots.”

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