March 23, 2006
ATLANTA, Ga. - Steven LoBue earned All-America status off the 1-meter springboard Tursday night at the NCAA Championships, placing seventh with 321.90 points.
"I am very proud of Steve," said diving coach Adam Soldati. "He has worked hard all year and is very deserving of his All-America status."
Georgia's Chris Colwill won the title with 407.10 points and Arizona State's Joona Puhakka was a close second with 398.20 points.
LoBue was a model of consistency. He earned over 50 points on five of his six attempts, with his highest total being 58.50 points on a back 2.5 somersault. His lowest score was a respectable 46.80 on a reverse 1.5 somersault 1.5.
"Steve did an outstanding job," said head coach Dan Ross. "I couldn't be more proud of him and diving coach Adam Soldati. Now the swimmers have to get on board and make some positives out of the bad luck we experienced earlier today."
LoBue, who was an honorable mention All-American last season off the platform tower, is Purdue's first true diving All-American since John Vogel won three titles from 1960 to 1962.
In addition to Vogel and LoBue, only three other Boilermakers in the history of the program have been All-Americans: Major Willis (1946, 48), Murray Hubley (1949) and William Clingenpeel (1952).
Soldati, who is in his first year at Purdue, has led three of his divers to All-America honors in the last week. At last weekend's women's championships, Carrie McCambridge finished among the top 8 off the 1-meter and Amanda Miller placed 5th off the platform tower.
The NCAA Championships resume Friday at noon. Purdue will complete in several events, including the 400 IM, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly and the 400 medley relay. LoBue will attempt to achieve an All-America citation off the 3-meter springboard.