Wingate University sophomore diver Gillian McLean (Grand Junction, Colo.) cements her spot in the NCAA Division II national championship diving meet with a personal-best 451.2 points on 11 one-meter dives at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Invitational this weekend at the Tippin Natatorium. The Clarion Invitational attracts the top NCAA Division II divers from across the nation.
“Gillian did a fantastic job making the corrections we have been working on to accomplish this score,” Wingate diving coach Anthony Crowder says. “I believe we are in a good spot going into the NCAA competition.”
On Sunday, McLean “completed two new dives we have been hoping to use during our recent workouts,” Crowder says. “These are dives we will use at the NCAA meet to boost her DD (dive difficulty). We have one more dive to learn before we leave for nationals; I am confident she will have success with it as well.”
McLean’s next event is the pre-qualification meet at the Birmingham (Ala.) CrossPlex, the site of the NCAA national swimming and diving championships. “With a strong focus on the fundamentals and these new dives, Gillian should have a great first showing at nationals,” Crowder says.
