The ASU diving team had several members compete in championships around the world this summer and is hoping to build on those divers’ summer successes in the 2010 season.
ASU’s dive team saw its members compete in the U.S National Diving Championships, the European Championships, the Speedo Junior National Championships, and various other competitions throughout the country and the world.
ASU coach Mark Bradshaw said competing during the summer is necessary to stay competitive and added that he was pleasedwith his team’s progress in the off-season.
“If you’re not working, if you’re not training, then you’re falling behind someone else,” Bradshaw said. “They had a great summer. Hopefully that will lead into another good year.”
ASU senior Cameron Bradshaw competed in the AT&T National Diving Championships in College Station, Texas and sophomore Constantin “Coco” Blaha and senior Elina Eggers competed in the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Bradshaw began his summer training and working out twice a day, six days a week, so he could perform well at the regional meet in Mission Viejo, Calif.
Despite a back injury, Bradshaw advanced to the National Championships at Texas A&M. Once there, Bradshaw advanced to the 3-meter final and placed eighth overall with a score of 411.25 in the 3-meter and 14th in the 1-meter.
Bradshaw was pleased with his performance.
“The best diving meet in my life thus far,” he said.
Blaha placed fifth in the 1-meter and seventh on the 3-meter at the European Championships.
“I did pretty well, I’m pretty happy,” Blaha said.
While his summer was limited due to a broken hand, Blaha also competed in Italy and Madrid. Blaha’s hand is now healed and he is excited for the upcoming season.
“I’m full of motivation and I’m thirsty for more,” Blaha said. “I’m pretty excited for the collegiate season. I want to final on the 1 and 3-meter. It will take a lot of hard work, but I’m willing to do it.”
Along with Blaha, ASU senior Elina Eggers also competed in the European Championships. Eggers, who was named to ESPN The Magazine’s All-America Third Team last season, scored a 274.45 in the 10-meter and placed 11th.
ASU freshman Hailey Casper competed at the Speedo Junior National Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she placed 4th in the 1-meter, an event she won in 2009.
Casper also placed 7th on the 3-meter.
The alumni meet is scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe and the diving season officially begins Nov. 5 at Hawaii.
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu.
