DeCecco, Ruchala Make Strong Debuts At NCAA Championships

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Utah divers Lizzy DeCecco and Emma Ruchala made their debut at the 2021 NCAA Championships on Thursday, where the duo competed on the 1-meter boards at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.

"Lizzy and Emma competed incredible well today at their first NCAA meet," said head diving coach Richard Marschner. "I am really proud of how they performed against some amazing competition. Lizzy was the third-highest placing diver from the Pac-12 and was actually really close to sneaking in to the top-16. Lizzy completed her season on a high note and I am excited for Emma to dive on 3m tomorrow."

Both Ruchala and DeCecco made their first appearances at the NCAA Championships, marking Utah diving's first time in history of two women divers competing at the national championships in a single season.

DeCecco finished 27th in the prelims with a score of 264.20 as the third-best score coming from a Pac-12 diver, sitting only behind Arizona's Schnell, who finished second overall in the prelims, and USC's Agunbiade, who finished 10th in the prelims.

In her first of two events she will compete in this week, Ruchala finished in 48th place with a score of 223.10. Ruchala will compete on the 3-meter boards tomorrow, March 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m. MT with the prelims.

Emma Broome and Audrey Reimer will also begin their championship action in the 100 back with swimming prelims for the day beginning at 8 a.m. MT. Live results for the NCAA Championships will be available here for swimming, while diving results can be found here. All sessions, including prelims and finals, will be streamed on ESPN3.