Freshman Trevor Burke opened the NCAA Region 2 Diving Championships Friday evening with a second place finish in the 1-meter, 11-dives event.
Burke had a tremendous showing on the afternoon, finishing with a career-best score of 468.15 points but was edged out by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' Kendall Hollimon (478.50). By virtue of placing first, Hollimon earns one of the two NCAA Region 2 allocations for next month's Division III Swimming & Diving Championships in Houston.
Burke was in the lead heading into the final round of dives with a slim margin of 425.65-425.20 over Hollimon but was surpassed in the final round as Hollimon netted a score of 53.30 on his Forward 2 1/2 Somersault Pike dive while Burke scored a 42.50 on his Back, 1 1/2 Somersault, 1 1/2 Twist Free attempt.
Burke will have another opportunity to qualify for the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships tomorrow afternoon with the 3-meter, 11-dives event, beginning at noon CST. For more information regarding the meet, please see the championship website: http://pioneers.grinnell.edu/sports/2017/2/9/2017-ncaa-regional-diving-championships.aspx.