University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Diver Set for Conference Meet
February 10, 2011 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 10, 2011
With the regular season behind them, four Vols divers head to the 2011 SEC Diving Championships in Gainesville, Fla.
Led by senior captain Michael Wright, the quartet of Vols has nothing if not potential.
"I'm coming into this meet feeling that we had an excellent season, which is good preparation for this championship event," diving coach Dave Parrington said. "We have four divers who have all improved greatly this year and I think we're all excited and looking forward to the competition."
Wright, a four-time SEC Diver of the Week, earned nine individual wins this season en route to setting pool records on both springboards and a school record on the 1-meter. The Forest Park, Ill., native has already proved his ability to perform at championship meets. In February 2010, Wright claimed the 2010 USA Diving 1-meter national championship at the Winter Nationals.
Junior Ryan Helms is equally as qualified as Wright. The Moultrie, Ga., native earned 2009 SEC Freshman Diver of the Year award after his stellar inaugural campaign. After taking the 2010 summer off, Helms returned to the boards fresh and it showed this season. Helms has four individual wins in the 2010-11 season and he and Wright have pushed each other all-year long.
"I expect that based on prior performances that Mike and Ryan could be vying for the top spots on the springboards," Parrington said. "Overall, our conference has some strong competition and I think our guys will do their best."
Knoxville-native Brent Sterling was a 2009 NCAA competitor and has shown his ability to compete at big meets. Sterling redshirted last year and demonstrated much improvement during his off-year. Sophomore Jordan Mauney has developed this season and has some confidence after finishing eighth on the platform at the Tennessee Diving Invitational among a field of fierce SEC competitors.
"Brent and Jordan both have shown great growth this season," Parrington said. "Brent has been very steady and is the kind of guy that you have to watch out for as a competitor. Jordan has improved a whole lot and he has been very consistent, as well. "
Diving competition begins Friday at Florida's O'Connell Center Natatorium with the men's 1-meter springboard preliminaries at 11 a.m. For more information regarding the 2011 SEC Diving Championships, visit the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships online headquarters here.
Players Mentioned
