Over spring break, Maverick swimmers and divers traveled to Mansfield, Texas to compete in the NCAA D2 Swimming and Diving National Championships. The competition featured 800 athletes from 47 schools, competing in 42 different events. CMU participated in 17 events and came away with seven top-20 finishes, one All-American honor, and five Honorable Mention All-American honors.

In his second trip to nationals, sophomore Brock Martin placed in the top ten in both of his events. Martin took seventh in the one-meter dive, which earned him All-American honors, and ninth in the three-meter dive that led to an Honorable Mention All-American. Going into the meet, he had made challenging goals for himself and came within one place in both events to achieving them.

“I wanted to take top eight in the three-meter and top six in the one-meter,” Martin said. “I didn’t really meet my expectations on the three meter, but I was happy with taking seventh in the one-meter.”

Heading into the offseason, Martin plans on helping out others at the El Pomar Natatorium along with maintaining the work he has put in over the past season.

“I’m going to coach the different age groups at the pool this summer, which will allow me to still dive in the pool,” Martin said. “I want to make sure I stay caught up and not lose everything.”

Freshmen Amanda Jennings and Brooke Lera were able to compete in the championship meet in the one-meter and three-meter dive events. Jennings placed 22nd in the one-meter and 20th in the three-meter while Lera took 12th in the one-meter and 13th in the three-meter. Lera earned Honorable Mention All-American honors for both of her events. Both Maverick divers were able to perform well in the first championship meet of their careers, despite not knowing what to expect.

“The girls were much more experienced then we were,” Lera said. “It’s a little more intense than a normal meet.”

Although the Mavericks now have time off, none of them plan on taking an extended break from their training. Craft, Jennings, and Lera realized that even after having impressive seasons and having the opportunity to compete at nationals, there is still plenty of work to be done.

“I think we all walked away from nationals with a bunch of goals for next year.” Craft said.