EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Last March, three University of Evansville divers qualified for the 2010 NCAA Zone C Diving Championships­—a feat which had not been accomplished by a UE diver since 1996. This year, the same three divers are preparing to compete in the 2011 Zones, hoping to use last year’s experience to their advantage.  

Seniors Andy Balczo and Jen Childers will be joined by sophomore Sadie Wells as they represent Evansville at the 2011 NCAA Zone C Diving Championships this weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

“This year should be different for them because I don’t think they will be as nervous,” said head diving coach Eric Blevins. “Zones can be intimidating­— you are diving next to current and future Olympians. Last year I think they were all just awestruck by the talent there. This year, they know what they’re getting into, and they’re ready for it.” 

To qualify for zones, divers must reach certain point totals in at least one board during regular-season meets. For men, they must reach 300 on the1-meter and 320 on the 3-meter while women must total over 265 on 1-meter and 280 on 3-meter.

As a group, this year’s diving trio has won a total of 28 diving events during the 2010-11 season. All three divers each own a school diving record at UE as well.

Representing the men’s team, Balczo has won 11 events this season, including his record-breaking first place score of 310.05 on the 1-meter on October 16 that qualified him for the Zones. Balczo ended the Mid-American Conference regular-season ranked 11^th on the 1-meter board and 12^th on the 3-meter. He made history on October 20 when he was the first Purple Ace ever to be named MAC Swimmer of the Week.

Childers qualified for the 2011 Zones in UE’s last home meet of the regular season, posting a record-breaking score of 292.58 on the 1-meter. She ended the regular-season ranked first in the Missouri Valley Conference on the 1-meter and second on the 3-meter. Childers was named first-team all-MVC after posting a second place finish on the 1-meter dive at the State Farm MVC Championships. She was awarded MVC Diver of the Week twice this season.

Wells posted two Zone-qualifying scores during the 2010-11 season. She first qualified with a score of 271.35 on the 1-meter against Illinois State on October 15. Wells later posted a season-best score of 278.55 on the 1-meter to receive her second Zone cut. She won 14 events this season and was named MVC Diver of the Week five times. At the State Farm MVC Championships, Wells was on the podium for both diving events, taking second place on the 3-meter board and third on the 1-meter. Also a first-team all-MVC selection, Wells’ biggest honor of the season came when she was named MVC Co-Diver of the Year, marking the first time that a UE diver has won the award.

“They have all put in the work and numbers all season preparing for this meet,” added Blevins. “This weekend should be a lot of fun because I think they have a chance to do really well.”