MOULTRIE, Ga. - The Birmingham-Southern men's dive team dazzled in their opening meet of the 2022-23 season. Three divers earned qualifying scored, while Avery Balch earned two qualifying scores to secure him a spot at the NCAA Regional meet. 

On day one of the meet Avery Balch, Garrett George, and Justin Toth all earned qualifying scores on the men's 3-meter, 11 dive event. Balch finished in first place with a score of 507.67 in the event. On dive three Balch attempted a back 2-1/2 somersault tuck. The dive earned him two seven scores by the judges for net total score of 14, tying his high for the event. He also earned a 14 on his ninth and tenth dives. Balch also was the top scorer for the Panthers in the 3-meter six dive event, totaling a score of 316.80. 

Garrett George finished behind Balch with a score of 476.60 to qualify in the event. George earned a high score of 15 on his fourth dive, attempting a forward 2-1/2 somersault, 1 twist, pike. George needs one more qualifying score during the season to qualify for the NCAA Regional Meet. The last diver to qualify was Justin Toth. Toth finished with a score of 447.82. On his third dive of the event Toth earned a team high single dive score of 15.5, attempting a reverse 2-1/2 somersault tuck. He also recorded two 13's in the event. 

On day two of the meet Balch qualified on the men's 1-meter, 11 dive event with a score of 430.94, with the qualifying score it earned him a spot in the NCAA Regional meet. Balch also earned the top spot in the Men's 1-meter, six dive event. BSC claimed five of the top six spots in the 1-meter, six dive event. Again Garrett George and Justin Toth finished second and third. Rounding out the top five for the Panthers was Sam Tennel and Joe Swim. 

The Panthers will look to carry their momentum from the first week into their next and earn more qualifying scores.

Up next
The Panthers will host University of West Florida at the Birmingham Crossplex on Saturday, Oct. 8.