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Sewanee, TN – The Cumberlands dive team was opened their season strong achieving a trio of NAIA standards, while Emma Lehmkuhl notched her first win of the season at the Sewanee Invitational Friday night.  Lehmkuhl, Brian Bedford, and Tori Wells were the divers that represented UC with Lehmkuhl and Beford achieving national marks.

Lehmkuhl earned a pair of NAIA automatic cuts to lead the way for Cumberlands.  The Fort Wright, KY native recorded a 204.85 to beat out six competitors and win the three-meter dive competition by over seven points.  That score surpassed the qualifying standard of 180 points and moved her into second in the NAIA this season Lehmkuhl tallied at least 30 points on each of her six dives, with her fourth dive scoring a 38.4.   

Lehmkuhl followed that up with a runner-up finish on the one-meter board.  She surpassed the 180 point qualifying standard by opening the season with a 199.80.  That is the second highest score in the NAIA this season.  Lehmkuhl saved her best dive for last on this board as she earned a 6.5, 7, 6.5 from the judges to finish the sixth round with a 44-point dive. 

Bedford hit a NAIA qualifying mark on the one-meter board to be the first UC men's diver to achieve that mark since Thomas Crawford captured the NAIA national championship in 2019.  Bedford totaled a 212.65 on the one-meter board to place fifth overall in the event.  The Orangevale, CA native scored at least 35 points on four of his six dives, including tallying 40.7 points on his fifth dive.  Bedford followed that up with a 198.95 on the three-meter board to finish fifth.  Bedford closed out the board with his best dive as he earned 44-points after the judges gave 6.5, 7, 6.5 on the sixth dive. 

Competing in her first collegiate dive competition, Tori Wells tallied 84.80 points on the one-meter board.  Wells' best dive came in round three when she did a back dive straight, which earned her 21.25 points. 

Cumberlands will return to the water tomorrow as they host Midway and Union in a double-dual meet at the Patriots Aquatic Center.  The meet is slated to begin at 12 p.m. with live video available here.

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