The Southeastern Conference’s top divers will hope to make a splash at the O’Connell Center when the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships begin this weekend.
The swimming and diving championships are usually held simultaneously, but since Florida is hosting both events this year, the competitions had to be separate.
“The divers get a real spotlight versus being caught in the middle of the meet,” coach Gregg Troy said.
Divers have been warming up in preparation for today’s men’s 1-meter and women’s 3-meter. The men’s 3-meter and the women’s 1-meter are tomorrow and both platform competitions are Sunday.
Diving coach Donnie Craine said he has high hopes for both teams, adding that the women have to look out for No. 2 Georgia and No. 3 Auburn. Craine also said the men’s teams to beat are No. 3 Auburn and No. 8 Tennessee.
He said the Gators have a great chance to excel and have been practicing in a meet style by running through a list and scoring their dives.
Senior Monica Dodson and junior Kaylee Doback will represent the No. 8 women’s swimming and diving team.
Dodson achieved her second-best career 3-meter dive Jan. 29 against Tennessee.
“All the SEC divers are great competition,” she said. “I’m just trying to practice like I compete so that I can compete like I practice.”
The No. 5 men are represented by senior Jon Speed, junior Anthony Lewark and freshmen Chris Jones and Mike Lewark. The younger Lewark said the Gators hope their home-pool advantage pays dividends.
“My goals are to do every dive I can as best as I can possibly do it, hopefully reach the finals,” he said. “Just being on the same boards that I’m on every day, it feels really good.”
