Indiana University Athletics
Loukas, Weigle Advance to Tower Finals at NCAAs
3/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
March 18, 2006
ATHENS, Ga. - Sophomore Christina Loukas and junior Lindsay Weigle will both compete for the NCAA platform title, currently owned by former IU standout Cassandra Cardinell, at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga., on March 18. Both Hoosiers put together incredible efforts on the crowd-pleasing tower competition. Meanwhile, senior Heather Chapman garnered her first All-American certificate with a 12th-place finish.
"We were hoping to get all three to finals tonight," Indiana head diving coach Dr. Jeff Huber said. "I am very proud of all three of our divers. Lindsay really has a shot at this thing, but she must be bold tonight."
After the first round of dives, Weigle held on to second place after nailing a 72.00-point dive to trail Purdue's Carrie McCambridge. Meanwhile, Loukas jumped into fourth with a 64.60 tally, while Chapman sat in 21st with a 42.00.
In the second round, Weigle maintained her second-place standing with a 56.70 dive for a 128.70 total, while Loukas slipped to fifth with 55.50 points for a 120.10 total. Chapman made a large move up the ladder into 15th with a 54.60 for a 96.60 tally.
In the third set of dives, Weigle dropped to third with a 52.20 dive for a total of 180.90, while Loukas improved to fourth with a 57.60 tally for 177.70 points. Additionally, Chapman fell to 16th with a 39.15 diver to pick up 135.75 points.
After the fourth round, Weigle jumped back up to second with a 45.90 to grab a 226.80 total, while Loukas dropped to seventh with a 34.50 dive for a 212.20 tally. Chapman continued to hold 16th with a 43.20 dive for 178.95 points.
In the fifth-and-final set of dives, Weigle secured a spot in a championship final for the second time in her career with a 67.20 for a third-place 294.00.
"I am happy I qualified for tonight," Weigle said. "I can dive a lot better, so I am excited about tonight. After not making it here last year, I am having a lot of fun right now."
Meanwhile, Loukas became the first three-time championship finalist for the Hoosiers since Sara Reiling dove in all three final sessions at the 2002 NCAA Championships. Loukas nailed her final dive for 64.00 points to tally 276.20 points for fifth place.
In 2002, Reiling claimed third on the one-meter, second on the three-meter and eighth on the platform. Should Loukas finish higher than sixth place on platform after placing fifth on the one-meter and second on the three-meter, it will be the greatest overall performance by a Hoosier since the tower became a part of NCAAs.
Meanwhile, Chapman executed her final dive successfully for 64.80 points to close out the day with a 12th-place 243.75. The performance earned Chapman her initial All-American certificate.
"Heather worked extremely hard this year and I am proud of her," Huber said. "She nailed that last dive and I am proud of how she came back. That is the right way for her to finish her year."
