Aztecs: Lopez Arevalo Wins Platform Event at NAU Meet

San Diego State's Valentina Lopez Arevalo emerged triumphant in the platform event on Sunday to lead the Aztecs during the final wave of competition at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational hosted by Northern Arizona.

On her fifth and final dive, Lopez Arevalo scored 58 points in the 5152B at 10 meters, finishing with a season-high total of 250.25 points to shatter the NCAA Zone qualifying mark (225 pts) and edge teammate Ximena Lechuga Gonzalez (248.10 pts) for the title.

With her victory, Lopez Arevalo successfully defended her event crown at the same meet from the previous season.

Meanwhile, Lechuga Gonzalez landed in the runner-up position for the second straight day with an aggregate of 248.10 points, highlighted by a score of 58.05 in the 205C at 10 meters on her fourth dive of the day. As a result, the Aztec senior also established a season best and eclipsed the NCAA Zone qualifying standard.

In addition, SDSU received a top-10 placement from Summer Westmoreland, who finished in the ninth spot with 214.10 points, featuring a score of 54.60 in the 205C at seven meters.

Elsewhere, Emma Duggan just missed out on a top-10 finish after placing 11th with a combined 209.95 points, including a score of 44.55 in the 405C at seven meters in her second dive of the day.

Olivia Zamudio followed in the 14th position with 189.50 points, highlighted by a score of 42.55 in the 405C at 10 meters in her fourth dive of the event.

The Aztec delegation also included Taylor Konopacke, who finished 18th after totaling 183.65 points, capped by a score of 51.80 in the 52535D at seven meters in her final dive of the day.

SDSU was also victorious in a team competition consisting of 12 dives following the platform event. The Aztecs finished with a winning total of 321.75 points, earning the top mark in four of six scored dives. 

The San Diego State swim and dive program will shift its focus to the Mountain West Championships, scheduled for Feb. 15-18 in Houston, Texas.