March 5, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -
Arizona State University men's and women's diving concluded the 2007 Zone-E Diving Championships Saturday, highlighted by redshirt freshman Micky Benedetti capturing the platform diving championship, while placing in the top three in one- and three-meter events.
Benedetti, the 2006-07 Pacific-10 Conference 3-meter and platform diving champion, once again proved to be one of the nation's top divers on Saturday, placing first overall by totaling 738.75 platform diving points after a preliminary round score of 362.10, also the best of the field. Additionally, he placed second in day one's one-meter finals, totaling 686.10 points, after a trial round score of 350.05. On day two, the , native placed third in the three-meter finals, totaling 708.40 points, which followed a first-round score of 325.15. Overall, Benedetti showcased a remarkable stretch of performances, standing as the only diver in the competition to finish in the top three in each of the three diving events. The sensational first-year diver will look to cap-off his redshirt freshman season in impressive fashion, earning a berth in the 2007 NCAA Championships.
Joining Benedetti for the men's team was sophomore Billy Sweeney, who narrowly missed earning an NCAA Championship appearance and finished ninth overall in the 3-meter finals, recording a total score of 652.90. Sweeney also posted a one-meter total of 542.25 on day one.
Senior Cassidy Farwell enjoyed a solid round of diving performances, placing eighth in the platform finals, scoring 417.40 total points. Farwell also posted the team's top three-meter score, totaling 513.45 points. Sophomore Erin Hobbs was the top one-meter diver for the Sun Devil women, totaling 467.55 points on day two.
ASU's men's and women's swimming and diving will next compete at the 2007 NCAA Championships held in The women's championships will be held from March 8-10, while the men's will follow from March 15-17.