Hope College's Sarah Sheridan took third in 1-meter diving at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships on Friday in Shenandoah, Texas.
The junior from Richmond, Indiana (Richmond HS), recorded a score of 466.15 points for the best 1-meter finish by any Hope diver at nationals — female or male.
Sheridan surpassed Kari Jackson's fifth-place finish in 2000 and 1999.
"It was a good meet to end the season," Sheridan said. "I felt confident in my content list (of dives). I am very excited that turned into third place. It's amazing and hard to even imagine."
Kenyon, Ohio's Maria Zarka won with a score of 477.80 points. Wellesley, Massachusetts' Maura Sticco-Ivins was runner-up with 470.80 points.
Sheridan recorded an 11-dive score of 434.60 during preliminaries to clinch All-America honors in 1-meter diving for the second time in her career.
Earlier this week, Sheridan was national runner-up in 3-meter diving. It is the highest finish at nationals for a Hope diver – female or male.
Hope diving coach Zach Golin said he is thrilled with what Sheridan achieved this season.
"For her to move up four spots is incredible. It is what we were aiming for," Golin said. "She hit her dives today.
"Sarah comes in ready to work every single day. She's her own toughest critic. To see her succeed on the national level ... that's what you work for."
Also on Friday, Molly Meyer finished 25th in the 100-yard backstroke during preliminaries.
The sophomore from South Bend, Indiana (John Adams HS), did not advance to the evening's finals. She posted a time of 57.96 seconds.
Hope is 22nd in the team standings with 33 points.
Meyer will swim in the 200 backstroke preliminaries on Saturday.
