March 14, 2008
(Columbia, Missouri): Clarion University senior diver Teagan Riggs (Meadville) finished second and freshman Kayla Kelosky (Ellwood City - Riverside) placed third in one meter diving tonight, and the Golden Eagle women are in fifth place as a team after day three of the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving National Championships in Columbia, Missouri.
Held at the "Mizzou Aquatic Center", Riggs placed second in the 1 meter event scoring 409 points, losing to Jill Smolczyk of South Dakota who had 421.15 points. Riggs defeated Smolczyk on Wednesday for the three meter title scoring 455.0 points to her 451.20 points.
Also diving impressively was Clarion freshman Kayla Kelosky, who scored 400.05 points and finished third at her first D-II Nationals. Kelosky was also 10th on 3 meter.
Also scoring for the Golden Eagle diving team was Jena Gardone (So. Apollo - Kiski) who was 7th on 1 meter with 366.45 points, and Ginny Saras (Sr. Sugarloaf), who was 9th on 1 meter with 335.25 points. Saras was 6th on 3 meter on Wednesday, while Gardone was 8th.
In other individual action, Lori Leitzinger (Sr. State College) was 14th in the 100 backstroke with a time of 58.27, and Kelly Connolly (Fr. Cranberry Twp. - Seneca Valley) placed 16th in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:06.45.
In women's team scoring before the final relay, Drury is first with 323, Truman State is second with 311, Cal San Diego third with 218, North Dakota is fourth at 216 and Clarion is fifth with 158 points. West Chester is currently in 10th place with 119 points.
In men's action the Golden Eagles only place came with Mike Kerr (Sr. Lansdale - North Penn) in the 100 yard backstroke. Kerr placed 14th with a time of 50.78.
In the men's team race Drury is first with 336 points, West Chester second at 219.5, Ouachita Baptist is third with 192, and Missouri S&T is fourth with 175. Clarion is in 18th place with 49 points.
The Division II Nationals conclude on Saturday night.
CLARION NOTES: Riggs finished her career as an 8-time All-American, with a first place and two second place finishes to her credit ... Saras finishes her career as a 7-time A-A, with her highest placing a second on one meter last year.
