University of Missouri
SEC Diving Championships
Savana Trueb Claims SEC Platform Title
2/19/2021 9:56:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Sophomore Savana Trueb (Colorado Springs, Colo.) claimed the Southeastern Conference women's platform title to highlight four top five finishes on Friday at the Southeastern Conference Women's Swimming Championships and SEC Diving Championships. The split meets, held at Gabrielsen Natatrium in Athens, Ga., (women's swimming) and the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, Mo., (diving) will conclude Saturday.
In addition to Trueb's win, senior Sarah Thompson (Collierville, Tenn.) nabbed a runner-up finish in the 100 back for Mizzou's second podium finish of the day.
Trueb, who placed 23rd on platform at the 2020 SEC Championships as a freshman, won the fifth overall SEC diving title in Mizzou history and the first platform crown. She joined former Tiger All-Americans Loren Figueroa and Lauren Reedy as the only women to win SEC diving titles.
TOP PERFORMANCES
Trueb, who qualified for platform finals as the fifth-seed, had three dives of 63 or higher in the final to total 293.2 points and claim the platform crown. After a 50.7 in the first round, she went for 68.8 on her second dive and 64.5 on her third. After faltering a bit in the fourth round, she rebounded with a 63.0 to seal the win. She finished 12.6 points ahead of the second-place finisher, Tanesha Lucoe of Alabama.
In Athens, Mizzou earned a pair of top five finishes in the 100 back. Thompson led the way with a runner-up finish, bettering her 2020 SEC placement of fourth. She went 51.27 in the final, which was faster than her prelims time of 51.51.
Additionally, sophomore Meredith Rees (Colorado Springs, Colo.) also swam in the 100 back final and notched second-place with an evening swim of 52.22, which was a personal-best and moved her into seventh all-time at Mizzou in the event.
Also in the diving well, freshman Takudo Endo (Tagajo, Japan) who erupted for 414.6 points to finish fourth in the men's 3-meter final. Competing in only his second collegiate meet as he joined the Tigers in January, Endo did not have a dive lower than 61.2, and ended his list with a 79.5 on his final dive. The freshman's total of 414.6 moved him into fourth all-time at Mizzou on the board.
UP NEXT
Final day action at the SEC Women's Swimming Championships gets underway with prelims at 9 a.m. CT, followed by finals at 5 p.m. CT. At the SEC Diving Championships, men's platform prelims are scheduled for 11 a.m. CT, with the final following 1:20 p.m. CT.
QUOTABLES
Mizzou head coach Andrew Grevers
"It was a huge night for diving with Savana (Trueb) getting first and Takuto (Endo) getting fourth. Then in swimming, Sarah (Thompson) had a big night getting second in the 100 back, and with Meredith (Rees) also in the final, it was a fun night in Athens. The Tigers are certainly on the rise and I'm looking forward to our final day tomorrow."
Mizzou diving coach Kyle Bogner
"It's great for Savana. For her I hope it opens up her eyes to the future and the possibilities. Everyone knows that she has what it takes, and hopefully this convinces her. When she steps on the board she always has a shot.
"Takuto (Endo) is definitely a special individual. He's really diligent and loves diving and wants to be better. Obviously, he's a really solid competitor."
Mizzou sophomore Savana Trueb
"I honestly had no idea I was in first place until I looked at the scoreboard and saw how many points the other divers needed to get. It hit me and I was really excited and couldn't stop smiling. With the meet at our home pool we have more of an advantage, so you can either use that advantage or use it against you. I definitely think I used it to help me win."
DAY THREE RESULTS
Women's Platform
1. Savana Trueb (293.2 finals, 269.9 prelims)
18. Sarah Rousseau (203.5)
Men's 3-Meter
4. Takuto Endo (414.6 finals, 376.4 prelims)
11. Carlo Lopez (353.85)
27. Ike Khamis (209.0)
Women's 400 IM
30.Amanda Smith (4:17.38)
36. Lili Horvath (4:21.58)
Women's 100 Fly
11. Meredith Rees (53.04 finals, 52.94 prelims)
34. Megan Keil (55.08)
37. CJ Kovac (55.33)
Women's 200 Free
22. Sierra Smith (1:48.36 finals, 1:47.71 prelims)
23. Sammie Jo Porter (1:48.77 finals, 1:47.76 prelims)
30. Amy Feddersen (1:48.44)
33. Jane Smith (1:48.89)
36. Hayley Hill (1:49.13)
37. Allison Bloebaum (1:49.15)
44. Ana Pozder (1:50.45)
48. Alex Moderski (1:51.75)
100 Breast
17. Molly Winer (1:00.86 finals, 1:01.06 prelims)
T-18. Katrina Brathwaite (1:01.03 finals, 1:01.48 prelims)
22. Kayla Jones (1:01.22 finals, 1:01.21 prelims)
37. Emily Snyder (1:02.61)
100 Back
2. Sarah Thompson (51.27 finals, 51.51 prelims)
5. Meredith Rees (52.22 finals, 52.87 prelims)
36. Audrey Guyett (55.04)
46. Molly Hogg (55.69)
400 Medley Relay
6. Meredith Rees, Molly Winer, Sarah Thompson, Megan Keil (3:33.99)
Players Mentioned
