University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
CAA Diving Day 2
Hens Wrap CAA Diving with Three Podium Appearances; Coonce Diving Coach of the Year
2/21/2016 10:20:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Complete Results
NEWARK, Del. – The second and final day of the CAA Diving Championships did not disappoint as 
Delaware continued its success at Harry W. Rawstrom Natatorium in the Carpenter Sports Building.
Junior Luke Winkler (at left; Bethesda, Md./St. John's College HS) edged Drexel's David Sanchez in the 3-meter finals, 356.30-355.50, to become the first Delaware men's diver to ever capture a CAA title. Winkler, who earned the bronze medal in Saturday's 1-meter, battled leg and foot injuries throughout the weekend.
Senior Colin Hall (Princeton Junction, N.J./West Windsor Plainsboro South) posted a fourth place finish with a score of 257.55.
In the women's 1-meter dive, senior Kristina Congdon (below right; Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) collected the silver medal with a score of 277.55 while classmate Caitlin Stockwell (San Jose, Calif./Presentation) grabbed her second bronze of the weekend by tallying a mark of 266.30. James Madison's Olivia Lehman posted a score of 290.45 for the gold medal.
Brian Coonce, a 2013 graduate of the University of Delaware and alumnus of the Blue Hens diving program, was tabbed both the Women's and Men's Diving Coach of the Year.
Brian Coonce
“It really feels good to receive both men's and women's diving coach of the year awards, but I owe it all to my divers. They put in the hard work and they had a lot of confidence coming into this weekend, which helped them succeed over the two days of competition. Once one diver hits a dive, it gets the other divers motivated to hit his or her own. They are a true team and if one does well, they all want to do well. If one crumbles, then the others come around and pick that person up. It is an individual sport, but we all work together like a well-oiled machine.”
Senior Kristina Congdon
“[Yesterday's performance] definitely helped boost my confidence, but at the same time, I needed to put it at the back of my mind because today was a new day. Consistency is the key in diving and having a good hurdle sets off for having a good dive. Your body knows what to do when you are in the air – you just have to keep your mind clear and focused on the task at hand.”
Senior Caitlin Stockwell (at left)
“It's definitely a confidence booster to know you are one of the top three divers in the 3-meter, but 1-meter is a completely different board. It was all pretty much the same group as yesterday, so it really came down to who could hit six out of six dives more than anything else.”
Junior Luke Winkler
“I didn't think it was going to be that close at the end. When it comes down to the wire like that, it's more mental than anything. It all comes down to the one chance. I knew I had to do the best I could and squeeze for that entry to make a small splash. And that's what I did. Positivity and having a good attitude is key. You can't let your emotions get the best of you.”
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· Wednesday, February 24 – Saturday, February 27 – CAA Swimming Championships – SwimRVA (Richmond, Va.)
· Sunday, February 28 – Long Course Qualifier – Collegiate School Aquatics Center (Richmond, Va.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
Players Mentioned
