CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - First year diver Samantha Nemivant concluded action at the 2017 NCAA Division III Diving Regionals on Saturday, hosted by MIT. She was one of 26 female divers competing for a spot at the 2017 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, March 15-18 in Shenandoah, Texas.
Nemivant, who is a native of Scottsdale, Ariz., placed 26th in today's 3-meter event, posting a score of 331.00 points. Among her top dives on the afternoon was the Inward 2 Somersault Tuck, which earned her 43.20 points in the ninth round. She also posted 40.80 points in the 11th round on a Back 1 1/2 Somersault 1 1/2 Twist Free.
On Friday, she placed 19th in the 1-meter event, posting a final score of 392.50 points. Highlighting her afternoon was a 42.00 point dive in the eighth round, which was a Reverse 1 1/2 Somersault Tuck. She also recorded 41.40 points in the 11th round with a Back 1 Somersault 1 1/2 Twist Free.
Nemivant had an outstanding rookie season, competing in 11 meets during the regular season, she posted 13 victories, including seven off the 1-meter board.
Among her top highlights of the season included a win off both boards in consecutive meets against Westfield State and Wellesley. Needing two NCAA qualifying marks to compete at Regionals, Nemivant earned her first in a runner-up finish at Smith College in October, posting a mark of 256.05 points. She then grabbed her second needed mark at Wellesley, winning the 1-meter with a mark of 261.85.
Nemivant continued to impress deep into the season, finishing fourth off both boards at Seven Sisters as she garnered qualifying marks in both. She then swept both boards against Simmons before recording season-high dual meet marks against Smith. The first year recorded a season-high 273.60 points to win the 1-meter, before achieving third off the 3-meter board with a season's best 268.50 points.
At the NEWMAC Championships, the Notre Dame Prep graduate held her own in a tough field of divers. She placed ninth in the 1-meter event, recording 408.25 points, before finishing sixth off the 3-meter board with 450.80 points.
Additionally, Nemivant was named the NEWMAC Diver of the Week on November 21, following her effort at Wellesley. She also earned Lyon of the Week honors after posting three wins and a runner-up finish in a pair of tri-matches during January.
Nemivant was the first MHC diver to qualify for the NCAA Diving Regionals since the format was put into place several years ago. Both Lauren Griffin and Elena Giordano '03 have represented the Lyons at Nationals prior to the Regionals format. Griffin qualified for the 2006 National Championships, while Giordano earned Honorable Mention All-America twice off the 1-meter board at the 2002 and 2003 Championships.
Earlier this season, Nemivant eclipsed one of Giordano's record of 427.55 in the 3-meter (11-dive) event, posting a mark of 452.85 points at the Seven Sisters Championship.
Prior to arriving at Mount Holyoke, Nemivant was a three-year member of the varsity diving team. In addition to serving as captain, she was also a two-time Most Valuable Player. The AIA Division II Girls Diver of the Year, she was third at the State Championship as a senior and placed sixth at States during her junior season.
