It was about time. After three years of being cut from
participating in the NCAA Diving Championships, Michigan senior
Tealin Kelemen finally qualified for diving’s version of the
Big Dance, and in the process, proved to her competition that she
deserved a bid.
“She’s been diving better than she ever has in her
life,” Michigan diving coach Chris Bergere said. “This
weekend really showed that. She was consistent throughout the
entire meet and proved that she was one of the best divers and
deserves this opportunity to compete at the championships.
“It’s a great culmination of all her hard years of
work.”
This weekend Kelemen, junior captain Alexis Goolik and freshman
Ellen Van Cleve competed in the NCAA Diving Zone meet at
Indiana’s Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center. The meet was
the qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships, scheduled to
take place next week in College Station, Texas.
There were five regional zones in session this weekend, each
able to qualify a select few divers. The Bloomington site was
allotted 11 spots for the NCAA Championships, more than any other
site. To guarantee one of those 11 spots, a diver must have either
finished in the top four on the one-meter, the top five on the
three-meter or the top two on the platform.
Kelemen placed within these qualifications in each of the three
events. On Friday, the first day of competition, she earned her
NCAA bid by placing second in the one-meter event with a score of
535.35 points.
“She was really tight in her first six dives,”
Bergere said. “But I told her she needed to relax and just
stay calm. I think after she earned her qualifying standard in the
event, she really became more consistent, because all of the
pressure was off of her.”
The meet continued on Saturday with the three-meter competition,
and Kelemen led the Wolverines, placing fifth with a score of
474.65. Following Kelemen, junior captain Alexis Goolik placed 16th
with a score of 421.50. Goolik concluded the meet by placing ninth
in the platform event with a score of 341.10, which was a new
career high for her.
“Alexis had an average meet,” Bergere said.
“I’ve seen her do better. I don’t think she was
at the top of her game, but we’re looking forward to a
successful season next year.”
Kelemen closed out her final event in style by placing first on
the platform board yesterday with a career-best score of
402.40.
“Kelemen’s platform event was great,” Bergere
said. “She proved that she really earned her chance to dive
next week — that she was legitimate.”
Kelemen will join nine Michigan swimmers at the NCAA
Championships next weekend at Texas A&M’s Student
Recreation Center Natatorium.