A Q&A with ACC Three-Meter Champion Evan Stowers
Diving standout Evan Stowers took some time and talked about the upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Diving Championships, Feb. 15-17, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Stowers, a junior from Independence, Ky., won the three-meter board last year and finished runner-up on the one-meter board, garnering All-ACC honors on both springboards.
How difficult is it being the defending champion on the three-meter board?
"I don't feel as much pressure as the defending champion. Last year I went into this meet concentrating on making NCAA Championships through the zone meet and had the mind-set that ACC's was going to be my practice meet to perfect my dives. I know that nothing is given this year, although I do feel more confident than any other year before this."
Are the expectations higher this year?
"The expectations for me are definitely higher. I always want to progress and based on what I did last year. I know that I can do just as well if not better then the previous season. I'm just going into this meet and giving 110 percent. If I know I did that then I'll be satisfied."
Do you think you can repeat All-ACC honors on both boards and how difficult is that?
"I think that the ACC is stronger and deeper than last year so it is going to be more difficult. However, I believe that I've also advanced and I'm more consistent than last year. If I continue to dive the way that I know and remember to execute everything I've been training, then I should end up finishing pretty well."
How much experience did you gain at the NCAA Championships and how do you use that to your advantage this year?
"NCAA Championships gave me a lot of experience. The biggest thing I've gained from that meet was my level of confidence. I'm more relaxed during meets, which helps me to stay more focused on what I'm doing."
How are the divers progressing and where do you stand heading into the ACC meet?
"The divers get better and more competitive every year by the time ACC's comes around. Some of that has to do with diving with the SEC in our zone, which is arguably the toughest/deepest zone in the country. As far as where I stand, I know that I'm capable of finishing with All-ACC honors, but we have so many good competitors in our conference that it's up in the air to whoever hits their dives in finals."
When it is all said and done, where will Evan be at the end of this season?
"I'm hoping that my final meet of this year will end up in Minnesota (site of the 2007 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships) instead of Athens, Ga. (site of the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships)."
The ACC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will also run Feb. 14-17 in Chapel Hill. The meet is scheduled to begin on Wednesday with the 800 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay.
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