Master's diver books ticket to NAIA nationals

Master's freshman Courtney Simpson qualified for NAIA nationals in 3-meter diving on Saturday at the Biola Invite in La Mirada.

Simpson is the first diver in school history, but head coach Byron Davis does not expect she will be alone for long.

"Diving is very important if we want to compete as a team moving forward," Davis said. "And Courtney is the perfect person to launch the diving program. She is gracious, helpful and very flexible and patient as we figure out how to grow diving at Master's."

This certainly was a step in the right direction. Simpson compiled a 3-meter score of 185.5, finishing sixth in a field that included divers from Biola and Azusa Pacific.

Simpson was also only six points short of qualifying for nationals in the 1-meter event.

"I was just so, so excited," said Simpson. "I'm so thankful to the Lord for working everything out and sovereignly allowing me to qualify for nationals. I can't wait to represent the Mustangs at nationals this year."

Nationals will be March 4-7 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Davis said that although Simpson is the team's lone diver, she is not isolated from a swim group that has continued to grow.

"She's 100 percent part of this team and is involved in all of our team activities," he said.  

Other highlights Saturday included Simone Williams and Xavier Gutierrez both swimming season best times in the 50 and 100 frees. 

Earlier this season, the Mustang men and women each qualified two relays for nationals.

The foursome of Brandon Watson, Raymie Matiashowski, Gutierrez and Garrett Cargile hit the NAIA standard in the 200 medley relay; and Watson, Gutierrez, Cargile and Mazen Hussien did the same in the 200 free relay.  

On the women's side, Madison Eaton, Selma Matiashowski, Williams and Faith Cancik qualified for nationals in both the 200 medley and the 200 free relays.