By Mercedes Lobb, PDCA Intern
The 2026 NCAA Zone Diving Championships took place last week across multiple regions in the United States. The event brought together some of the nation’s top collegiate divers. As the last qualification competition of the year, the pressure was high. Divers worked all season toward this moment, hoping to secure one of the limited NCAA Championship spots. Within the NCAA’s multi-zone qualification system, Zones A, B, and C featured strong fields of competitors. These conditions created highly competitive events and compelling regional storylines.
Zone A was held at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It produced compelling performances across both the men’s and women’s fields. On the men’s side, Pittsburgh’s Noah Bernard dominated the 3-meter competition with a score of 754.25. Dartmouth’s McCoy Lyman won the 1-meter title with 664.65. Princeton also had a strong presence throughout the competition, with several divers finishing near the top of the standings. In the women’s field, Rutgers’ diving program showed great depth. Multiple divers placed near the top across several events. Team USA diver Katerina Hoffman delivered an excellent showing for Rutgers, winning the 3-meter event with 649.65 and the 1-meter event with 581.60. The platform event also saw impressive results. Virginia Tech’s Nathan Cox claimed the men’s title with 654.85, and Rutgers’ Sephora Ford secured the women’s title with 555.10.
Further south, Zone B featured another competitive field across both the men’s and women’s events. On the men’s side, Tennessee’s Bennett Greene led the 1-meter event with a score of 793.00, while Miami’s Matteo Santoro captured the 3-meter title with a score of 895.55. The platform event also produced a distinguished performance from Florida’s Jesus Gonzalez, who won the title with a score of 851.00. South Carolina’s Sophie Verzyl dominated the women’s 3-meter with a score of 784.70, but Miami’s Chiara Pellacani reclaimed the spotlight on the 1-meter, winning the event with a score of 662.85 as Verzyl finished second at 646.25. Florida continued its strong showing in Zone B as Camyla Monroy captured the women’s platform title with a score of 600.60.
Out west, Zone C delivered another competitive field across both the men’s and women’s events. On the men’s side, Purdue’s diving program showed dominant depth across multiple events, with Nathaniel Grannis securing first place in the 1-meter with a score of 711.40 and teammate Tyler Wills finishing second at 710.15. Wills also claimed the platform title, scoring 899.45. Indiana’s Joshua Sollenberger, however, captured the 3-meter title with a score of 782.05. On the women’s side, Indiana’s Ella Roselli captured the 1-meter title with a score of 612.00, while Ohio State’s Lena Hentschel won the 3-meter event with a score of 682.25. The Buckeyes continued their strong showing on platform as Hannah Newbrook secured the title with a score of 595.20. On the women’s side, Indiana’s Ella Roselli captured the 1-meter title with a score of 612.00, while Ohio State’s Lena Hentschel won the 3-meter event with a score of 682.25. The Buckeyes continued their strong showing on platform as Hannah Newbrook secured the title with a score of 595.20.
Across all three zones, the competition revealed the strength and depth of collegiate diving programs nationwide. With the final qualifications meet complete, the focus now turns to the NCAA Championships, where these performances will set the stage for the season’s ultimate showdown.