Dec. 20, 2011

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — South Carolina senior Courtney Forcucci and former Gamecock All-American Allison Brennan advanced to the semifinals of the women’s three-meter springboard competition on Tuesday at the USA Diving Winter National Championships at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatics Center.

Forcucci posted a five-dive score of 287.40 in the quarterfinals to finish 11th, while Brennan finished tied for 14th with a score of 281.10 to join the group of 18 divers that will compete for a spot in the finals on Wednesday.

“We have some ground to cover to move up,” South Carolina diving coach Todd Sherritt said. “We have more points in our lists, and that needs to show up (Wednesday). Courtney was very steady today. She is diving very well. I think she has a top seven finish in her.

“Allison is dealing with a knee injury and could not train during the last two weeks. That being said, she did a great job under those circumstances. She is tough and will fight her way up into the top eight I am sure.”

The top 12 divers from the semifinals will advance to the finals and earn a spot in the 2012 Olympic Trials, but both Forcucci and Brennan have already qualified for the Olympic Trials after they advanced to the three-meter finals of last year’s USA Winter National Championships.

On the men’s side, Gamecock junior Rylan Ridenour finished 35th in the one-meter springboard quarterfinals with a six-dive score of 260.75.

Forcucci and Brennan will compete in the women’s three-meter semifinals on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Live results are available at divemeets.com.