LOS ANGELES -- Sophomore Justin Wilcock and junior Viraj Patil both finished in the top-five of the men's platform on the final day of competition at the USC Diving Invitational Saturday.
Wilcock finished third on the platform with a score of 477.80 while Patil finished in fifth place with a score of 420.15. Teammate Aaron Russell placed ninth with a score of 367.20. Rubin Vaca and Omar Ojeda of Arizona finished 1-2, respectively. Ojeda won the 3-meter event Thursday and the 1-meter board on Friday.
For the women, no Cougar diver finished in the top-nine on the platform. Lindsay Berryman and Adrian David, also of Arizona, finished 1-2.
The men's and women's swimming and diving teams return to Provo to face conference rival UNLV, Saturday at 1 p.m., in the Richards Building Pool.
The men's and women's diving teams will travel to California Thursday, Friday and Saturday to compete in the USC Diving Invitational. BYU will compete against teams such as California, Stanford, USC, UCLA, and conference rivals San Diego State and Colorado State. Both the men's and women's swimming teams have the week off.
Last Weekend
The women won a four-way dual meet against New Mexico, Houston and Northern Arizona, Thursday, and won the Lobo Invitational, Friday and Saturday against New Mexico, Houston, Northern Arizona, New Mexico State, Northern Colorado and North Texas. In the three days of competition, sophomore Heidi Lietz won the 50 free twice, the 100 free, the 200 free, the 100 fly twice, and swam on the winning 200 free, 400 free, 400 medley and twice on the 200 medley relay teams. Ashlee Rumfallow won the 100 free, 400 IM, swam on the winning 400 free relay team and twice on the winning 200 free relay team during the three days of competition. Senior Jennifer Tasker won the 100 breast twice and swam on two first-place 200 medley relay teams while also finishing first in the 200 breast.
Men Divers to Watch
Aaron Russell, sophomore: Russell won the 3M event and placed second on the 1M board against Utah. He is the defending MWC Champion on the 1M board. Justin Wilcock, sophomore: Won the 1M event against Utah. 1998 WAC Champion on 1M, 3M and platform.
Viraj Patil, junior: Patil won the 1M and the 3M events at the Big West Shootout, Nov. 4. He won the platform title at the 1999 WAC Championships.
Women Divers to Watch
Kelli Einfeldt, sophomore: Einfeldt won the 1M and 3M events at the four-way dual meet, Thursday. She also placed second on the 1M and third on the 3M at the Lobo Invitational, Friday and Saturday.
Anna Tutunnikova, senior: Tutunnikova won the 3M event at the Lobo Invitational, Friday, and finished second on the 3M board behind Einfeldt at the four-way dual meet, Thursday.
Quotes from diving coach Keith Russell:
"The women have a good shot at finals. I expect to do well and hopefully we will exceed expectations. I also think the men will win an event or two."
