COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sophomore Becca Barras and junior Tracey Berghian competed at the AFA Invite this past weekend against divers from Air Force and Wyoming and finished 1-2 respectively in both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events. The meet was a crucial part of the preparation the two have been undertaking, along with freshman Kaley Knafelc for the upcoming Mountain West Conference Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla. Feb. 19-22.
Barras and Berghian have been neck-and-neck in almost every competition this season, with Barras claiming a majority of the first-place spots. Most recently, Berghian was named MWC Diver of the Week on Jan. 29 after she claimed two springboard firsts in the Lobos’ home meet against New Mexico State on Jan. 25. Her honor adds to the three that Barras has garnered this season for the New Mexico diving team. The pair is currently among the top divers in the MWC ranks and both will be strong contenders for first and second place spots at the championships in two weeks time.
At the AFA Invite, Barras captured the top spot on the 1-meter springboard with a score of 255.55 and first in the 3-meter with an almost identical score of 255.35. Berghian followed close behind her teammate with scores of 235.05 on the 1-meter and 247.45 on the 3-meter. Freshman Kaley Knafelc had one of her best finishes of the year on the 1-meter board. She finished fifth in the event with a score of 203.80. On the 3-meter she secured the 10th place spot with 163.15 points.
The UNM women’s diving team will return to Colorado Springs, Colo. this weekend for the Falcon Diving Invite which will take the form of a training meet. Divers are scheduled to begin competition at 2 p.m. on both Feb. 8th and 9th.Y