Four Razorback divers headed to zones

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Four University of Arkansas divers are set to compete at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships from Thursday, March 8, through Saturday, March 10, in Iowa City, Iowa, as they strive to earn a spot at the NCAA Championship meet.

Seniors Liana Bugslag and Alex House, junior Alyssa Tomlinson, and sophomore Kesha Naylor will represent the Razorbacks at the meet. 12 divers from Zone D between the one-meter, three-meter and platform boards will earn a trip to Auburn, Ala., to compete at NCAA Championships March 15-17.

"The zone meet is always a very competitive one," said Arkansas head coach Jeff Poppell. "I think we will have a great opportunity to get at least one diver to the NCAA Championships. On paper, Kesha Naylor looks like she has a great chance to make it out of the zones. I think we might be able to surprise some people and get a second diver out of the meet as well, whether it be on three-meter or platform."

Naylor has had a standout second year for Arkansas. The sophomore has earned one Southeastern Conference Diver of the Week award, has broken the Arkansas school records on the one-meter and three-meter boards, and placed in the top eight in the three-meter and platform competitions at the SEC Championships.

Bugslag has submitted a strong senior season to lead Arkansas alongside Naylor. She placed in the top 16 on all three boards at the SEC Championships, and broke the Arkansas record in the platform event earlier in the season. The Razorbacks, who have trained on the tower all season under diving coach Dale Schultz, saw Bugslag, House, Naylor and Tomlinson all score on the platform at the SEC Championships.

Naylor finaled and earned 10th overall in the platform and three-meter competitions at the 2011 Zone D Championships. House was 17th overall on the platform at the 2011 zone meet.

For more information about Razorback swimming and diving, please log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.