Six divers from the University of Hawai’i are set to participate in the NCAA Zone E Diving Championships, which will take place at the Wall Aquatic Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, from March 9 to March 11. The event is hosted by Northern Arizona University.
Representing the Rainbow Wahine women’s team are Macie Wheeler, Lovisa Gustavsson, Keira Chandler, and Avery Coates. On the men’s side, Juan Esteban Ramirez Tamayo and Oliver Wignall will compete. Each diver will participate in various events: Wheeler and Coates in the 1-meter and 3-meter; Chandler and Gustavsson in all three events (1-meter, 3-meter, platform); Ramirez Tamayo in all three events; and Wignall in the 3-meter and platform.
The competition serves as a qualifier for the NCAA Championships. The top five female divers and top four male divers in each event—1-meter, 3-meter, platform—will advance to nationals.
Several athletes received conference honors following their performances at the Big West Championships. “Macie Wheeler was named Big West Women’s Diver of the Year for a second straight season and earned individual conference crowns in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives.” “Keira Chanlder earned Big West Women’s Freshman Diver of the Year and posted runner-up finishes in the 3-meter and platform at the Big West Championships.” “Oliver Wignall garnered Big West Men’s Freshman Diver of the Year honors, and earned bronze medals on all three boards (1-meter, 3-meter, platform) at the conference championships.”
Coach Brandon Blaisdell was recognized as Big West Men’s and Women’s Diving Coach of the Year after leading Hawai’i to five individual conference titles. The team achieved a total of fourteen podium finishes at this year’s Big West Championships with five golds, four silvers, and five bronzes. Four new conference records were set by UH athletes: Juan Esteban Ramirez Tamayo broke records on both springboards (360.70 on 1m; 393.45 on 3m), Macie Wheeler set a new mark on the women’s 1m (311.85), while Lovisa Gustavsson established a record on platform (269.70).
