Maria Quagliana Aiming High at Diving Nationals

BROCKPORT, NY (03/21/2011)(readMedia)-- For someone who is afraid of heights, senior Maria Quagliana (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) quickly ascended to the top of The College at Brockport's all-time diving leaderboard, breaking school records during her sophomore season, when she qualified for nationals.

Already possessing Brockport's one- and three-meter records entering her final season, Quagliana continued her assault on the record books during the 2010-11 season.

In capturing Brockport's first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) diving championship since the 2003-04 season, Quagliana shattered her old school record on the one-meter board during the SUNYAC championship meet.

Quagliana's championship-winning score of 440.10 points was 14.05 points higher than her old record, and further cemented her candidacy as one of the best Division III divers in the country.

Now Quagliana and 21 of the country's top divers will compete for national championships during the 2011 DIII Swimming and Diving championships. The event, being co-hosted by Beloit (Wisc.) College and the College of Wooster (Mass.), kicks off Wednesday and runs through March 26 inside the Allan Jones Aquatic Center at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.

Making her third consecutive appearance at nationals, Quagliana, who started diving when she was eight years old, has her sights set on a top-eight finish, which would earn her All-American status. Divers placing 16th or higher earn Honorable Mention status, a feat Quagliana accomplished last year with her ninth-place finish.

Quagliana, who last winter became Brockport's first All-American female swimmer when she earned Honorable Mention status, will try for All-American status during this year's competition.

Quagliana earned first-team All-SUNYAC honors after winning the one-meter and placing second on the three-meter. She will compete on both boards during nationals.

"This is my last year competing, and nationals are my last meet, so I definitely want to go in there, give it my all and make the top eight to earn All-American," said Quagliana, a physical education major who added 40 points to her one-meter dive scores.

"After competing at nationals before, this year I want to take that extra step forward. I would be so happy if I could leave Brockport as an All-American on both boards. It would do a lot for the program here, and would make people look differently at Brockport's swimming and diving program."

During her senior season, Quagliana posted NCAA Division III national championship-worthy scores at least 12 times, according to her diving coach, Erin Harner.

An improved sense of confidence has helped Quagliana reach new heights, said Harner. For the first time in her collegiate career Quagliana defeated Fredonia's All-American sophomore Sarah Ficcaro on the three meter during the season-opening, Oct. 23 dual meet against the Blue Devils.

That win against Ficcaro, who was runner-up on the one-meter and placed sixth on the three-meter during the 2010 national championships, was huge for Quagliana's confidence, according to Harner.

Also instrumental in Quagliana's mental well-being was the return of Harner, who took over Brockport's diving program for the 2009-10 season. Quagliana had three different diving coaches during her first three years, so having Harner back poolside for a second consecutive season was a welcome sight for Quagliana.

Before the each season starts, Harner has each of Brockport's talented divers - including men's record-holder Dan Brigano (Utica, NY/Proctor) and Chris Austin (Naples, NY/Naples), who posted numerous provisional qualifying efforts during his sophomore season - establish goals and then visualize reaching those milestones.

For Quagliana, the goals were lofty, but certainly attainable: qualify for nationals on both boards early in the season, add in new, more difficult dives and continue to work on improving her takeoffs and her entries into the water.

But the biggest goal Quagliana set for herself was to become an All-American on both boards at nationals. To accomplish that goal, Quagliana knew her scores would have to remain consistent week-in and week-out.

Unlike her junior season, when Quagliana's scores were all over the place from week to week, during her senior year, Quagliana has entrenched herself at the top of the leaderboard from week one. She won the one-meter and the three-meter 11 times apiece, including claiming the one (282.90 points) and the three (281.70) meter boards Jan. 28 against Buffalo State.

"Maria's consistency is there, she had a terrific season and her scores have been going up and up and up," said Harner, who dove for Alfred University and broke the school's three-meter record while earning the Eastern College Athletic Conference's (ECAC) Female Swimmer/Diver of the Year honors in 2007.

"Maria has not peaked yet, so our hope is she continues to improve and really hits a high note at nationals. She definitely has the potential to make All-American on both boards."

And she has learned from her past trips to nationals. During the sophomore national championship meet, Quagliana "felt like I didn't belong" competing against the nation's best, and felt "intimidated" under the bright lights of nationals.

"She felt she wasn't ready to be at nationals, that she wasn't even supposed to be there, and she performed that way," said Jack Stover III, Brockport's swimming and diving coach.

"To see how she has grown from that first appearance, it's been remarkable. She came back last year knowing she belonged at nationals, and this year, with every meet she won, and with every solid performance, you could see her confidence taking off. She has set the bar high, but I know she'll succeed."

This year, when she steps into the University of Tennessee's brand-new, $24 million dollar Allan Jones Aquatic Center, Quagliana will rely on some relaxation tactics to calm her nerves. Before any meet, Quagliana will listen to a relaxation tape as an effort to keep herself mentally focused.

"It's so important to head out there with a clear head so you can do what you have to do to succeed," said Quagliana, who credits teammates Brigano and Austin with pushing her to be the best.

"It's so much easier to compete when you're not stressed out. I've always been strong with the technical parts of diving, but it's so much more than that. Now I'm prepared before I even step on the board."

That added preparation has led Quagliana to the top of the school's record books. Starting with a strong performance Wednesday during the first day of nationals, Quagliana hopes to show the rest of Division III that she not only belongs at nationals, but that she's one of the country's best divers.

"I work hard as a student-athlete, and I'm never happy with giving anything less than my best," Quagliana said. "I know I have the tools to succeed, and hopefully I'll be able to close out my career on a high note."