Auburn Divers Take Second In 3m Synchronized Springboard Finals At The 2009 Speedo USA Diving Nationals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, April 25. AUBURN juniors Kelly Marx and Dan Mazzaferro placed second in Saturday's 3-meter synchronized springboard finals 2009 Speedo USA Spring Diving Nationals held April 22-26 at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics Complex. Marx also placed fourth in the men's 3-meter springboard finals.

"I thought Kelly Marx competed very well today," said Auburn head diving coach Jeff Shaffer. "He has shown a great deal of improvement off the 3-meter. He and Dan Mazzaferro really stepped up in the synchronized today. We came in right behind an Olympian and the 3-meter champion for a second-place finish to some tough competition."

Competitors at the 2009 Speedo USA Spring Diving Nationals aim for a spot on the U.S. National Team for the World University Games held June 30-July 12 in Belgrade, Serbia. Selections will be announced by USA Diving on a later date.

Marx and Mazzaferro accumulated 379.47 points through six rounds of diving, including 74.46 from their final dive, a forward 2 1/2 somersault, two-twist pike. The duo averaged 63.25 per dive with a 13.5 degree of difficulty (DD).

Individually, Marx placed fourth in 3-meter springboard finals with a total of 396.70. The Overland Park, Kansas native averaged 66.12 per dive with a DD of 18.5. Marx earned his highest single-round score with his final dive, good for 76.50 points.

Marx and Mazzaferro advanced to synchronized finals after placing second in Thursday prelims, coming in at 370.17. The pair averaged 61.70 per dive with a DD of 16.10. Marx also placed second in 3-meter prelims with a 395.40 to make finals.

Marx earned automatic qualification into the semifinals of the 2009 Speedo USA Spring Diving Nationals following a runner-up finish off the 3-meter at the 2009 NCAA Championships. Mazzaferro earned his way into semis by way of his performance at the 2009 USA Diving Selection Camp.

Competition at the event was set for 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard, 10-meter platform, synchronized 3-meter springboard and synchronized 10-meter platform. The degree of difficulty requirements are the same as the USA Diving Summer National Championships.

Action resumes for the Tigers on Sunday as Mazzaferro competes in the men's platform finals set for noon EST. Live video and official results can be found at www.divemeets.com.

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