In a remarkable display of skill and athleticism, University of Louisville diver Else Praasterink emerged triumphant in the platform event at the IUPI House of Champions Invitational. Praasterink’s outstanding performance crowned a successful final day for the Cardinal divers at the competition.
All six divers who competed in the platform event managed to qualify for the finals, with four of them achieving NCAA Zone Cuts. Praasterink, with a score of 310.75, topped the leaderboard to claim the first-place finish. Teammate Samm Helmboldt showcased her talent and secured a zone cut score of 261.35, securing a second-place finish. Grace Leonard finished in fifth position with a score of 224.40, and Lindsay Gizzi rounded out the final with a respectable seventh-place finish. Gizzi’s fine performance in the preliminaries earned her an NCAA zone cut score of 240.50.
On the men’s side, freshman Rayce Winn delivered an impressive display, earning a score of 342.60 and securing his NCAA zone cut. Che Stephens also demonstrated his prowess in the platform event, finishing fourth in the finals. Stephens’ highest score of the day came during the platform preliminaries, where he scored 286.60.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals will be heading to Knoxville on November 28th to compete at the USA Diving Winter National Championships. This tournament serves as the trials meet for the 2024 World Championship in Doha. The team will undoubtedly be looking to maintain their impressive form and build on their success in the upcoming championship.
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