University of Tennessee Athletics
Stone Opens Competition at World Championships
July 24, 2015 | Swimming & Diving
KAZAN, Russia -- Tennessee rising sophomore Liam Stone placed 24th in the 1-meter diving preliminaries at the FINA World Championships.
Stone, representing New Zealand, finished his six-dive list with a score of 310.25 to place 24th of 40 divers. He closed his list by missing on his final dive, scoring 31.50.
Jahir Angel Ocampo Marroquin of Mexico won the preliminary competition with a score of 412.70.
"Liam did some really good and positive stuff, but unfortunately missed his last dive which is a new one for him," said Tennessee diving coach Dave Parrington, who is coaching New Zealand's divers at the FINA World Championships. "It certainly has the potential to be a great dive, which is why we used it, but unfortunately didn't work for him today.
"He certainly did some things I'm happy with, as is he, but of course need to learn from the tough last dive. It's good to see him making a name for himself here as a diver on the move upwards in the men's diving world."
Stone is competing later this meet in the 3-meter springboard, an event he won at the SEC Championships with a meet-record score of 463.50. He is also entered in the 3-meter mixed synchronized competition.
For divers, the FINA World Championships is the first opportunity for divers to claim spots for their nations in next year's Olympics. The top 12 divers in each individual event will reserve a spot in the Rio Games with no more than two per country allowed.
Sophomore David Heron, fresh off his open water 10K silver medal at the Pan American Games, is competing in the world championships alongside Tennessee Aquatics' Alex Meyer. They are swimming in the 5K and 25K open water races.
