University of Tennessee Athletics
Stone Places 21st on 3 Meter at Worlds
July 30, 2015 | Swimming & Diving
KAZAN, Russia -- Tennessee rising sophomore Liam Stone placed 21st in the 3-meter diving competition preliminaries Thursday at the FINA World Championships.
Representing New Zealand, Stone scored 413.10 points in his six-dive list, including a final dive for 81.60 points. Eighteen divers qualified for the semifinals, and Stone was just six points away from being in that group.
"Although it would have great if he had made semifinals, I am extremely pleased with his performance here at his first FINA World Championships," said Tennessee diving coach Dave Parrington, who is coaching the New Zealand divers at the meet. "He displayed excellent composure and certainly made a name for himself with the international judges and diving world, which bodes well for his international diving future.
"He hit all six dives, including a brand new one, the reverse 3 1/2 which both he and I are more than happy with."
Earlier in the meet, Stone placed 24th on the 1-meter board. He is competing in the mixed synchronized 3-meter springboard Sunday.
As a freshman last season, Stone quickly made a splash -- or lack thereof -- in 3-meter diving on the conference and national stage. He arrived in Knoxville in January, and a month later, he won the SEC title in the event with a conference meet record score of 463.50.
