Florida State University Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh
Vargas Battles to Claim NCAA Bid
3/12/2024 6:04:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
ATHENS, Ga. – Florida State men's diver David Vargas punched his ticket to the 2024 Men's NCAA Championships after battling to place seventh on 3-meter at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships.
Vargas joins Peter Varjasi and five FSU relays at the meet in Indianapolis, running from March 27-30. More men's qualifiers will be announced on Wednesday.
After prelims, Vargas trailed the seventh-place diver by just under four points (364.10), which was the NCAA qualifying cutoff for the event.
Vargas opened finals by scoring marks of 7.0 on his first two dives. In the fourth round, Vargas scored 7.5's on his reverse 2 ½ reverse somersault pike, moving up to eighth and just under nine points away from a qualifying spot.
Vargas kept the pressure on after adding marks between 7.0-7.5 in the fifth round, pulling to within four points of seventh place.
Saving his highest scoring dive for last, Vargas added 68 points after receiving scores of 6.5-7.0 on his front 2 ½ somersault 2 twist pike, jumping to claim seventh place with a score of 740.75. His final round tallied 376.65.
Helling added 346.60 in finals, finishing 13th at 698.60. Nolasco added 334.00 in finals to finish 17th at 675.90.
Kayleigh Clark led the way for the Noles in women's platform, finishing with a score of 508.70 for 10th place. Isabel Gregersen followed (472.35) in 17th and Jessica Buntman placed 18th (468.45).
Prelims for men's platform will start at 11 a.m. where the top 10 on platform will move on to nationals. Vargas needs to place within the top 12 in order to add the event to his NCAA list.
March 13
Men's platform
Prelims – 11 a.m.
Finals – 12:40 p.m.
For updates and exclusive content, follow the Seminoles on X (@FSU_Swimming), Instagram (@fsuswimdive) and Facebook (FSUSwimmingDiving).
Vargas joins Peter Varjasi and five FSU relays at the meet in Indianapolis, running from March 27-30. More men's qualifiers will be announced on Wednesday.
After prelims, Vargas trailed the seventh-place diver by just under four points (364.10), which was the NCAA qualifying cutoff for the event.
Vargas opened finals by scoring marks of 7.0 on his first two dives. In the fourth round, Vargas scored 7.5's on his reverse 2 ½ reverse somersault pike, moving up to eighth and just under nine points away from a qualifying spot.
Vargas kept the pressure on after adding marks between 7.0-7.5 in the fifth round, pulling to within four points of seventh place.
Saving his highest scoring dive for last, Vargas added 68 points after receiving scores of 6.5-7.0 on his front 2 ½ somersault 2 twist pike, jumping to claim seventh place with a score of 740.75. His final round tallied 376.65.
"I'm happy for David," FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. "He put it together today and didn't have a miss for 12 dives. Some of his dives were the best he's ever done them, and he did it whenever he needed it most. The stars aligned for him today and tomorrow he's got platform which is his best event."
In addition to Vargas, Jesco Helling and Darwin Nolasco also competed in the 3-meter final after Helling placed 12th (352.00) and Nolasco in 15th (352.00) in prelims.Helling added 346.60 in finals, finishing 13th at 698.60. Nolasco added 334.00 in finals to finish 17th at 675.90.
Kayleigh Clark led the way for the Noles in women's platform, finishing with a score of 508.70 for 10th place. Isabel Gregersen followed (472.35) in 17th and Jessica Buntman placed 18th (468.45).
Prelims for men's platform will start at 11 a.m. where the top 10 on platform will move on to nationals. Vargas needs to place within the top 12 in order to add the event to his NCAA list.
March 13
Men's platform
Prelims – 11 a.m.
Finals – 12:40 p.m.
For updates and exclusive content, follow the Seminoles on X (@FSU_Swimming), Instagram (@fsuswimdive) and Facebook (FSUSwimmingDiving).
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/ Women's Swimming and Diving
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/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
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