Palmer finishes fourth on one meter

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Junior diver Madison Palmer set the one-meter diving record with a fourth-place finish on the one-meter springboard on the first day of competition at the NCAA Zone D Diving Meet at the University of Houston’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.

Palmer scored a 543.55 in the event, smashing the previous school record of 504.76 held by all-American Karen Gorham in 1982. The top three finishers automatically qualified for the 2008 NCAA Championships hosted by Ohio State on March 20-22, but according to head coach Jeff Poppell, Palmer may still be chosen.

“Madison has a great chance of getting picked up for the NCAA meet, especially if some of the young ladies ahead of her end up qualifying in another event,” he said.

Juniors Kellyn Williams and Hilarie Wilson scored career-best scores on the one meter. Williams finished 17th with a 456.75 and Wilson placed 19th with a 426.60.

“They dove well,” said interim diving coach Dale Schultz. “Madison missed one dive, but came back strong. She’s excited about the opportunity to go to Ohio State for the championship. We’ll know by about noon tomorrow if she makes it.”

Arkansas diving competes Saturday in the three-meter diving event at 10 a.m. Platform diving takes place on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

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