Jan. 6, 2010

ATHENS, Ga. -- Members of the Navy diving teams took part in the Georgia Diving Invitational earlier this week in Athens, Ga. The field for the three-day event held on the Georgia campus included some of the top divers from the majority of the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference schools.

Olaf Olson (Jr., Bainbridge Island, Wash.) placed 22nd in the one meter (245.15) and 25th in the three-meter (259.20) springboard competitions. Ben Nichols (So., Bothel, Wash.) finished in 25th place in the one-meter event (209.90), 35th on the three-meter board (217.80) and 18th in the platform competition (207.15). Bryan Gentz (Jr., Wayzata, Minn,), meanwhile, placed 39th on the one-meter board (184.65) and 35th in the three-meter event (258.25).

Courtney Vandament (So., Coppell, Texas) was the lone member of the Navy women's program to compete at the meet. She placed 23rd on the three meter (220.90) and 49th on the one-meter board (169.25).

"This was a great learning experience for our divers," said head coach Joe Suriano. We faced tough competition throughout the meet and I am really proud of the way everyone performed. Olaf had some great jumps to his dives, Ben did really well on the platform, Bryan had a nice three-meter performance and Courtney bounced back well on the three meter after a tough one-meter competition."