March 14, 2008

HOUSTON - Mizzou sophomore Greg DeStephen earned his second consecutive trip to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships with his gold in Friday's 3-meter diving competition at the Zone D Diving Championships. With the win, the Columbus, Ohio, native became the first Tiger in school history to capture a title at Zones.

"Greg not only nailed, but absolutely destroyed his dives today," Mizzou Diving Coach Jamie Sweeney said. "What we've focused on this year is his consistency and he really kept it together today in what is the most important meet of the year."

DeStephen's prelim score of 335.20 put him in fourth heading into the afternoon's final round. The conference 1-meter silver medalist made a quick move up the ranks in finals by tallying an impressive 372.70 points, his second-highest six-dive set of the season, to edge Texas' Jonathan Wilcox for the title by .35 points.

The win grants the sophomore his second straight berth to NCAAs. He will be allowed to compete in all three diving event at Nationals by participating in Saturday's 1-meter and Sunday's platform diving competition at Zones.

Three other Tiger divers were also in action on Friday. Freshman Dante Jones, sophomore Ryan Meeker and senior David Boyko took the 11th through 13th spots, respectively, in 3-meter diving. They will join DeStephen in Saturday's 1-meter action, scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. in the University of Houston's Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

3-METER DIVING COMPETITION FINAL STANDINGS (POINTS)

1. Greg DeStephen (707.90)

2. Jonathan Wilcox (707.55)

3. Matthew Cooper (695.45)

4. Mike Wong (633.70)

5. Eric Ducourneau (627.65)

6. Matt Culbertson (626.00)

7. Matthew Cardell (624.35)

8. Raymond Hesselberg (597.80)

9. Tim Lavers (559.60)

10. Dante Jones (558.05)

11. Ryan Meeker (545.30)

12. David Boyko (541.75)

13. Kyle Callens (498.30)