KALAMAZOO, Mich. – First-year Chase Smith closed out the NCAA Division III Region 1 Diving Championship in dominant fashion Saturday, claiming first place in the one-meter competition (11 dives) against a field of 22 divers.

Continuing his reign in the one-meter, Smith posted a winning score of 494.65, edging Denison's Nick Fogle by 1.35 points to secure the top spot on the podium. The victory adds a regional title to his résumé after capturing the conference championship earlier this season.

Smith's most difficult dive proved to be his most impactful. In the 10th round, he executed an Inward 2½ Somersault Tuck with a 3.10 degree of difficulty and earned 60.45 points, his highest score of the competition. He also delivered strong marks in the sixth and final rounds, posting 54.60 points on a Forward 2½ Somersault Pike before closing with 58.50 points on a Forward 1½ Somersault 2 Twist Free to secure the regional crown.

Sophomore James Lackner added depth to Kenyon's effort, finishing 14th with a total score of 374.15. His strongest rounds came in the seventh and 11th dives. In the seventh, he tallied 39.60 points on a Reverse 1½ Somersault Pike. He closed his list with 45.60 points in the final round after completing an Inward 1½ Somersault Pike.

With the regional title secured, Smith will represent Kenyon as its lone diving qualifier at the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships, scheduled for March 18-21. Preliminaries are set for 10 a.m., with finals beginning at 6 p.m. each day.