Billy Peterson
Contributing Writer
Two Springfield College divers have qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships that take place next week.
Senior Kenny Pancoast and junior Jennifer Thomas will spend part of spring break competing in Shenandoah, Texas.
Thomas, who was named NEWMAC Women’s Diver of the Year a few weeks earlier, automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships after finishing first in the three-meter dive at the Regional Championships. The Health Science major from Cheshire, Conn. won the event with a score of 508.00.
Pancoast finished runner-up in the one-meter dive with a score of 506.55 in the Region 3 Championships.
“It is such an honor to be going to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships,” Pancoast said. “I knew from the beginning of the season that it was going to take a lot of hard work to get to the point where I am at right now, and it is finally paying off.
“I am proud to be representing Springfield College at the national level, and it feels so good knowing that I have the support of my coaches and teammates.”
Springfield College sophomore Jack Lewis also qualified as an alternative diver. Springfield College will also send freshman swimmer Michael Normoyle to the NCAA Championships in Texas.
Normoyle has fit right in on the swimming team, and has broken numerous school records in his first year at SC. Normoyle swims the individual medley and breaststroke.”
It’s hard training for an extra month after your team is finished,” Normoyle said. “I am excited for Nationals. It is probably the most important meet I can swim in, and I am happy to be representing Springfield College in Texas.”
Normoyle went on to add that as a freshman he does not really know what to expect, but is hoping to gain valuable experience on this trip and be back again in the future.
Competition begins Wed., March 20 at 10 a.m., and concludes Sat., March 23 at 6 p.m.