CHICAGO, Illinois -- The Kenyon College women's swimming and diving team was represented by the diving duo of Katarina Ilic and Claire Fergusson at the 2023 NCAA Division III Central Region Diving Championships, an event hosted by the University of Chicago. The Owls took flight for three-meter dives on day one of the two-day event as competitors vie for a chance to compete in the upcoming NCAA DIII Swimming and Diving Championship.

Ilic finished the three-meter event in 19th place after scoring 356.05 points. The junior completed two dives that produced over 40 points, and, like Fergusson, Ilic's sixth dive was her best after tallying 40.80 points on a forward 2 ½ somersault pike. A forward 1 ½ somersault 2 twist free on her ninth attempt was not far behind, producing 40 points. Ilic averaged 32.37 points per dive across her 11 rounds.

Fergusson slotted in a few spots behind her teammate with a score of 335.20 to tie for 26th-place. The junior's sixth dive of the day produced the best result when she scored 39.90 points on an inward 1 ½ somersault pike. Fergusson fired off a stretch of three strong dives in a row as her sixth (39.90), seventh (36.00), and fifth (34.00) dives received her three highest scores. Overall, she averages 30.47 points per dive.

The NCAA allocates nine spots for divers from the Central region to advance to the NCAA DIII Championship, and the Kenyon duo will have an opportunity to crack the top nine in tomorrow's one-meter competition. The Owls will return to the Myers-McLoraine Pool at the Ratner Athletics Center at noon on Saturday, Feb. 25, for day two.