By Matthew Gay, USA Team Reporter

Kazan, Russia–  Friday July 5th was the first day of diving for team USA at the Water Palace for the World University Games Kazan Russian 2013. Contestants Loren Figueroa, Meghan Houston, and Samantha Pickens competed in the women’s 1-meter springboard. And teammates Samuel Dorman and Zackary Nees competed in the men’s 3-meter springboard.

In the women’s 1m preliminary Samantha Pickens placed 6^th scoring a total of 249.85, Meghan Houston placed 7^th scoring a total of 248.30, and Loren Figueroa placed 8^th scoring a total of 247.20. All three qualified for the semifinals, but because of rules not allowing more than two competitors from one delegation, Loren Figueroa did not advance. In the semifinals, Samantha Pickens placed 2^nd in her group with a total score of 267.15. She will advance, but teammate Meghan Houston will not as she finished 4^th in her group with a score of 233.95.
The women’s 1m springboard finals will be held on Sunday July 7^th. Men’s 1m springboard preliminary and semifinals will be help Saturday July 6^th. In the men’s 3m springboard preliminary Samuel Dorman placed 21^st with a score of 328.75 and teammate Zackary Nees finished 23^rd with a final score of 322.80. Neither will advance to the semifinals, but they will be diving together as partners in the men’s 3m synchronized springboard.