BY Mike Szvetitz

When the NCAA Diving Zones begin today at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center, four Auburn University men’s divers won’t have to worry about a thing. Except, of course, qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

Everything else should be second nature.

“Having the meet here at Auburn is a plus for them,” AU head diving coach Jeff Shaffer said. “They don’t have to travel and adjust to a new place. They can sleep in their own beds.

“Being at home is a big advantage. They are familiar with their surroundings, comfortable with the boards and know where their spots are.”

Diving’s all about finding a comfort zone in uncomfortable surroundings.

Since the three-day meet — which hosts 93 divers from 25 different teams competing for 22 spots (10 men’s and 12 women’s) — is essentially a home meet for the Tigers, comfort is at a premium.

“I’m very excited,” said sophomore diver Kelly Marx, who is the SEC Champion in the 1-meter event. “Our own pool. Our own boards. We are very confident going in.

“It’s the best possible situation to be in. Anywhere you go, it’s about adaption. But we’re familiar here. We’ve done this a million times in this pool. So know it’s just about going out and doing it.”

Marx, Dan Mazzaferro, who is the SEC platform diving champion, Caleb Dunnichay and Scott Morgan will all have a shot to qualify for the national championships held March 27-30 in Federal Way, Wash.

The AU men’s swimming and diving team, which is coming off its 12th consecutive SEC championship (14th overall) is going for its eighth national title, and sixth in a row. If the Tigers can qualify all four divers for the meet, that will be a huge advantage for the team to claim another NCAA championship banner.

“I’m pleased with the way we are diving,” said Shaffer, who was voted the SEC Diving Coach of the Year this season. “We have to feel good about the way we performed at SECs.”

But there are not gimmies in this meet.

“This is the toughest meet they’ll compete in all year,” It’s a one-shot deal. It doesn’t matter how you did, it just matters what you do at this meet.

“The gameplan is to be consistent and stay within yourself. Our whole thing is if you can minimize your mistakes, you maximize your opportunity for success.”

Diving will begin today at noon with the women’s 1-meter and men’s 3-meter competitions. Saturday, diving will begin at noon with the women on the 3-meter and the men on the 1-meter. Then, on Sunday, the platform competition will take place at 10 a.m. for the women, with the men following at 2 p.m.

“It’s going to be really exciting diving,” Shaffer said. “And, hopefully, people will come out to watch.

----------------------------------------------------------------------