Jan. 23, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The Big 12 Conference announced that Anna Massey (Soph., Sprinfield, Ill.) and Evan Watters (Fr., San Antonio, Tx.) were selected as the Big 12 Female and Male Divers of the Month. The selection's were made by a vote of the league's head swimming and diving coaches.
For Massey, this is the first time she has won this honor. Her selection was based on her performances at the Orlando Invitational (Jan. 6) and in dual competition against in-state rival Southwest Missouri State. At the Orlando Invite, Massey placed fourth in both the 1-meter (6 dives) and 3-meter (11-dives) with Zone-qualifying scores of 257.85 and 431.30, respectively. The 431.30 points she earned on the 3-meter board set a new career high.
Against SMS (Jan. 18), Massey won both the 1-meter and 3-meter. Her 1-meter score of 268.80, once again qualified her for the NCAA Zones and also set a new career best. Her 3-meter score of 258.90 is the team high this season. Her first place finishes helped the Tigers defeat the Bears, 164-74.
Watters won his second Diver of the Month award, he previously won the honor for October. At the Orlando Invitational, Watters compiled a winning score of 565.15 on the 3-meter (11 dives) to break Scott Harmon's school record of 554.85 set in 1981. He followed that performance with a third place showing in the 1-meter (284.40). Both scores qualified Watters for the NCAA Zone Championships.
Against SMS, Watters again posted Zone-qualifying scores on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. He won the 3-meter with a season's best score of 336.23. He then finished second in the 1-meter with his score of 315.00. His finishes helped the Tigers defeat the Bears, 134-109.
Massey is the sixth Tiger this season to be named either Swimmer or Diver of the Month by the Big 12. Most recently senior diver Jamie Sweeney was selected as December's Male Diver of the Month. Fellow seniors Matt Ferrarelli and Radu Miclaus were selected as November and October Swimmers of the Month, respectively and junior Andrea Nigh was selected October Swimmer of the Month for the women's team. Watters is the only diver, male or female, that has been selected as Diver of the Month more than once.
The men's and women's swimming and diving teams will compete tomorrow in a home dual meet against Drury University at the University Natatorium at 5:00 p.m. This will be the final home meet for men's swimming and diving seniors. The women's team will compete again on Saturday against conference rival Iowa State at the University Natatorium at 2:00 p.m.