Four Tennessee Divers Qualify for NCAAs on Day Two of Zones

Monday, March 9

Athens, Ga.

All Day

University of Tennessee

NCAA Zone B Diving Championships

Thomas Ciprick Qualifies for NCAa Championships

Four Tennessee Divers Qualify for NCAAs on Day Two of Zones

March 09, 2026 | Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving

ATHENS, Ga. -- More Vols and Lady Vols punch their tickets to the NCAA Championships, with two men and two women earning their qualifying scores on day two of the Zone B Diving Championships. Desharne Bent-Ashmeil and Lynae Shorter qualified in the 3-meter, after earning their spot in the 1-meter yesterday. Bennett Greene and Thomas Ciprick become the first Vols to officially earn their way to NCAAs as the pair qualified in the 1-meter.

After qualifying in the 1-meter on Sunday afternoon, the pair of Bent-Ashmeil and Shorter only needed to finish in the top 12 of today's competition to move on in their second event. Bent-Ashmeil placed third overall in the 3-meter, thanks to a combined core of 736.10. Shorter earned her way in the 3-meter by placing fifth on a score of 664.45. For Bent-Ashmeil, she also moved up in the top ten list in program history in the 3-meter, with the freshman now sitting second all-time with a prelim score of 371.70.

Emma Rhines also competed on the women's side in the 3-meter, placing 11th in the finals with a mark of 615.90. Although Rhines came up just short of earning her qualifying spot in the 3-meter (top nine), she will have another opportunity tomorrow to earn her way to Atlanta with a top seven finish in the platform tomorrow.

Greene and Ciprick locked in their place at NCAAs, as both finished in the top three in the 1-meter. Greene placed first in the event, finishing with a score of 793.00. Ciprick finished close behind in third, putting together a combined effort of 768.00. Ciprick also made his way up in the program top 10 books, moving to eighth all-time with a final round score of 402.45. With both securing their place in the championship meet, both divers now only need to place in the top 12 in either the 3-meter or platform tomorrow and Wednesday to qualify in those events as well.

Nick Stone also made his way to finals in the 1-meter, but the senior just missed out on earning his place by finishing 15th overall. Frazer Tavener just missed making his way to finals, placing 20th. Both Stone and Tavener will compete for the Vols in the 3-meter, while also being joined by Owen Redfearn as well.

Top Ten Scores
2. 3-meter - Desharne Bent-Ashmeil (371.70)
8. 1-meter - Thomas Ciprick (402.45)

Tuesday, March 10
11:15 a.m. ET – Women's Platform Prelims
1:40 p.m. ET – Women's Platform Finals
2:40 p.m. ET – Men's 3-meter Finals
5 p.m. ET – Men's 3-meter Finals

Wednesday, March 11
11:15 a.m. ET – Men's Platform Prelims
1 p.m. ET – Men's Platform Finals