The ISU diving team completed in the Georgia Diving Invitational in Athens, Ga., from Tuesday to Thursday, facing off against more than 25 schools from across the nation.

The meet began with 1-meter board competition on Tuesday. Senior Sarah Nelson led the Cyclones, finishing 18th with a score of 202.05. Sophomore Jessica Henderson finished 21st with a score of 192.10, and senior Jenn Botsch placed 23rd with a score of 184.55.

“We had a good warm-up and I thought they were prepared,” said ISU diving coach Jeff Warrick in an interview with Cyclones.com. “In the meet, things just kind of fell apart. Some had good tops and just did not finish.

“We are looking forward to tomorrow. We are excited to be here and want to compete well.”

Auburn University’s Anna Aguero won the 1-meter with a score of 287.65.

The Cyclones competed on the 3-meter board on Wednesday, hoping to improve on Tuesday’s effort.

Wednesday’s results were very similar to those of Tuesday, with Nelson, Henderson and Botsch once again leading the Cyclones. Henderson finished 19th with a score of 196.65, while Botsch and Nelson finished 20th and 21st with scores of 196.55 and 194.65.

“We have good signs here and there, we are not finishing our dives though,” Warrick said to Cyclones.com. “We want to come into these meets prepared for the conditions.”

Auburn emerged victorious once again on Wednesday, as Vennie Dantin earned a first-place finish with a resounding score of 327.5.

The Invitational concluded Thursday with platform diving.

Nelson achieved a 13th-place finish on platform, scoring a 194.75 on her five-dive list. Warrick was pleased with Nelson’s progress.

“One thing that she had been having trouble with was kicking out on her back 2-and-a-half tuck,” Warrick told Cyclones.com. “She did much better with that today and that is a breakthrough for her. That will benefit her down the road at the Big 12 Championships and zones.”

“Overall I do think it was a better day,” Warrick said. “It was not our best platform day ever, but they came in ready to compete.”

The ISU swimming and diving team returns to competition Jan. 27 for a 6 p.m. dual meet in Omaha, Neb., against Nebraska-Omaha.