UCLA's Polyakova, Belanger Qualify for NCAA's

Photo is courtesy of UCLA

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – UCLA’s Maria Polyakova and Eloise Belanger punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships when they recorded top-five finishes in the 1-meter event at the 2016 NCAA Zone E Diving Championships on Monday.

After posting a 319.60 in prelims to top the field, Polyakova recorded a final score of 625.25 to place third overall.  Not far behind, Belanger finished fourth with a 610.50.  In the finals, the Bruin freshman scored a season-high 314.60.

Annika Lenz also advanced to the 1-meter finals after finishing 13th in prelims.  The junior slipped to
18th with a total score of 511.60.

Kat Friese and Ciara Monahan just missed the cut to advance to the afternoon session.  Friese posted a 257.10 to place 21st in prelims and Monahan recorded a 255.00 to finish 22nd.  Rounding out the Bruins competing in the event is Montana Monahan, who placed 50th with a 222.60.

@UCLASwimAndDive @UCLAAthletics @eloisebelanger @MariaPolyakova advance to NCAA Champs on 1M!#GoBruins!!! #worktodo pic.twitter.com/rHaZw632VL

— Tom Stebbins (@ucladiving) March 7, 2016

The top nine finishers from 1-meter, the top 11 from 3-meter, and the top nine from the platform will be eligible to compete in this month's NCAA Championships, which take place March 16-19 in Atlanta, Ga.

Action continues Tuesday with the 3-meter event.  Prelims begin at 10 a.m. PT, followed by the finals at 1:35 p.m. PT.

For live results, visit www.divemeets.com.  Admission is free for all fans to attend.  Parking will be available in the San Francisco Street parking garage on the Northern Arizona University campus for a daily fee.