Jennifer Funch and Monica Dodson put themselves in the best position possible in an attempt to qualify for the 2008 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbus by finishing 9^th and 12^th following day one at the Zone B Diving Championships at Auburn University.

“We dove really well today,” said head diving coach Donnie Craine.  “All of the girls’ attitudes are really good.  We were disappointed to not place all five in the top 18, but to finish where we did was a good day for us.”

Dodson finished the one-meter springboard competition with Florida’s best score of the day, placing ninth overall with a combined preliminary and final score of 512.45 points.  Funch placed 12^th with her combined score of 496.90. 

“Monica finishing ninth was a good start for her, she may have been better off finishing sixth or seventh, but if she dives the way she does at the SEC meet, she has a great chance to qualify,” said Craine.

Whitney Stern and Jeana Bartell barely missed making the final round, finishing 19^th and 20^th with scores of 234.65 and 232.05 respectively.  Senior Sarah Ellerby was 22^nd in the preliminaries with her score of 226.55.

For the men, Aaron Leech dove his way to 265.55 points and a 29^th place showing in the three-meter springboard preliminaries.

“Aaron dove well today,” said Craine.  “Tomorrow will be another good day to see what he can do.”

The championships will continue tomorrow with the men’s one-meter springboard and the women’s three-meter.  The meet has brought together the nation’s best divers from 25 universities and colleges across the southeastern United States.  After all three events have been completed, the top 12 finishers on the women’s side and top 10 on the men’s side will qualify to compete at their respective championships at the end of the month.