Battle for Los Angeles: Diving Into A Crosstown Rivalry

KNOXVILLE, TN - August 16, 2014: Madison Witt during the 2014 USA Senior Diving National Event at Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Matthew S. DeMaria

Photo Courtesy: Matthew S. DeMaria

By Danielle Repper, Swimming World College Intern

The Bruins and the Trojans battled on the boards, Friday, February 12 at the Spieker Aquatics Center.

The first event was the 3 meter competition. The points separating the divers between first and sixth place were close. Madison Witt, freshman diver for the Trojans took the gold with a total score of 302.03. Witt was consistent throughout the competition and is looking strong going forward. Her best dive in the 3 meter competition was her 305C (reverse 2 and 1/2 somersault tuck) scoring her a total of 60.90 for that round.

“I felt really good about my 3 meter competition today, I’ve been working on a couple corrections, such as my come-outs on my 305C and 405C, which I fixed and I’m really happy about that,” expressed Witt. “I missed my 205C a little bit, but it’s something to improve on for the next meet, so I feel good. The whole team has been talking about Pac-12s, and I’ve never experienced it, but they all say it’s the best meet of the year, so I’m excited to be there and experience all the vibes, see everybody, and just compete, because I love competing!” she added.

Coming in second place in the 3 meter competition was Eloise Belanger, freshman diver for the Bruins, scoring a total of 300.60. Belanger was fairly consistent in her list, with only missing one dive, her 107C (forward 3 and 1/2 somersaults tuck) scoring 37.80. Her highest scoring dive in this competition was her 5152B (forward 2 and 1/2 with 1 twist pike) scoring 56.25.

“Today I felt that some techniques I did were good, but not all the details were there so in the end it didn’t all click. I’m happy about my 105B today because in college we have to compete 6 dives not 5 which I’m getting used to, so I was happy to have done well on it,” shared Belanger. “Going forward, I definitely feel I still have work to do to be ready for Pac 12s in two weeks, but I am looking forward to working hard to get all of the pieces together in these next couple weeks, so that when I compete next I will be better than my performance today.”

In the one meter competition, Maria Polyakova, sophomore diver for the Bruins, finished in first place with a total score of 295.73. Polyakova had a solid competition, and her highest scoring dive was her 105B (forward 2 and 1/2 somersaults pike) scoring 54.60 for that round.

“I was happy about my one meter today because I managed to have a pretty good list after my 3 meter list earlier,” stated Polyakova. “Overall I feel I have progressed since this time last year, but I still have more work I need to do since I had just recently got back from competing at the Russian Nationals, and I am working on getting back at school and diving. I’m excited to compete at Pac 12s and NCAAs coming up and hope my hard work will pay off!”

Coming in second place, was Belanger with a total of 287.70. Her highest scoring dive was also her 105B (forward 2 and 1/2 somersault pike) scoring 54.60 which matched Polyakova’s score.

Overall, the Bruin divers defeated the Trojan divers, however with the points of swimming combined, the Trojans defeated the Bruins.

These two teams will meet again in Federal Way, Washington, starting February 24 for the Pac-12 Championships.

Results:

3 Meter:

Madison Witt (USC) – 302.03
Eloise Belanger (UCLA) – 300.60
Katerina Friese (UCLA) – 288.68
Maria Polyakova (UCLA) – 287.55
Samantha Adams (USC) – 286.28
Natalie Kalibat (USC) – 281.18
Annika Lenz (UCLA) – 264.90
Ciara Monahan (UCLA) – 264.60
Montana Monahan (UCLA) – 250.58
Katherine Van Winkle (USC) – 248.33
Tabitha Krebs (USC) – 242.25
Madeline Russell (UCLA) – 231.83
Jacquelyn Suitt (USC) – 230.18
Traci Shiver (UCLA) – 194.63

1 Meter:

Maria Polyakova (UCLA) – 295.73
Eloise Belanger (UCLA) – 287.70
Annika Lenz (UCLA) – 278.40
Madison Witt (USC) – 264.30
Ciara Monahan (UCLA) – 237.30
Samantha Adams (USC) – 235.05
Montana Monahan (UCLA) – 233.70
Tabitha Krebs (USC) – 229.13
Katerina Friese (UCLA) – 224.25
Katherine Van Winkle (USC) – 218.40
Natalie Kalibat (USC) – 213.60
Jacquelyn Suitt (USC) – 208.88
Madeline Russell (UCLA) 198.15
Traci Shiver (UCLA) 159.08

FULL RESULTS

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