Los Angeles, Calif. —The University of Nevada's divers showcased their talent at the USC Diving Invitational this past weekend, competing against a strong field from the University of Southern California, California Baptist University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Air Force Academy, Pepperdine University, and the University of Northern Colorado.
Day 1
On the first day of competition in the 1-meter Championship, junior Bailey Heydra delivered an impressive performance, scoring 264.70 in the preliminary round and improving to 279.80 in the finals for a total score of 544.50, earning a second-place finish. Senior Lucia Gabino secured fifth place with a consistent showing, scoring 251.85 in preliminaries, 249.80 in the finals, and a total of 501.65.
Day 2
The second day featured the 3-meter Championship, where Heydra claimed the top spot with a dominating performance. She posted 317.45 in the preliminary round and a combined total of 641.70 in the finals, maintaining her undefeated streak in the 3-meter event this season. Gabino continued her stellar form, placing third with 276.90 in the preliminary round and 558.40 in the finals
Season Highlights and Consistency
Heydra's exceptional consistency this season has been a cornerstone for Nevada. She has achieved first-place finishes at every meet, including dual meets against Fresno State and the University of New Mexico, where she won both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Additionally, her consistency against a competitive field that included Big Ten schools at the USC Invitational reinforces her standing as one of the top divers in the Mountain West Conference.
Gabino has played a critical role in Nevada's diving success, finishing second in every dual meet and ensuring the Wolf Pack achieved 1-2 finishes in each competition. Her finals score on the 3-meter board at USC marked her second-highest performance this season, highlighting her growth and resilience. Both Heydra and Gabino have achieved the NCAA Zones cut and qualified for both the 1-meter and 3-meter events.
Looking Ahead
The USC Diving Invitational was Nevada's first competition against Big Ten schools in recent years, providing valuable experience against a high-caliber field. The Wolf Pack divers will now look ahead to rejoin the swimmers for a January dual meet against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where they will celebrate senior Lucia Gabino, followed by preparations for the conference championships.
