Devine Dives Into NCAA Championship

Phil Devine (Jr. • Winnebago, Ill.) aims to maintain his perfect All-American resume when he competes at the NCAA Division III Men's Swimming and Diving Championship from March 23-26 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Each of the last two years, Devine has earned All-American awards in both diving events. He was the three-meter champion with a score of 563 in 2010 after taking seventh place (466.25) in 2009. Devine finished fifth on the one-meter board both years, scoring a 484.60 last season and a 469.85 in 2009.

At the WIAC Championship in February, Devine took first in both diving events for the third straight year. His Diver-of-the-Meet performance included conference records of 574.40 in the one-meter event and 578.90 at three meters.

There will be 22 divers in each national event. Devine expects to receive his toughest competition from Nick Halbach (United States Merchant Marine Academy), who took second on the three-meter board and third on the one-meter plank at last year’s championship. Springfield College’s (Mass.) Brian Sobel is also back after taking second place at one meter in 2010.

Kenyon College (Ohio), the top-ranked team by CollegeSwimming.com, has captured the past 31 NCAA Division III championships. UW-Oshkosh placed 26th last season with 59 points and 20th in 2009 with 48 points.