Melamud Makes Program History as First Freshman to Qualify for NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships
3/10/2026 8:32:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The University at Buffalo diving program competed at the 2026 NCAA Zone A Diving Championships on Monday and Tuesday at the United States Naval Academy. The Bulls had five divers qualify for the regional competition, all aiming to punch their tickets to the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
Adele Melamud headlined the competition for the Bulls, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in both the one-meter and three-meter events. Melamud became the first freshman in program history to qualify for the NCAA Championships and the fifth diver to qualify for both events.
The freshman began the two-day competition by securing a finals spot in the one-meter with a preliminary round score of 275.50 to place fifth of 86 divers. Melamud also placed fifth in the finals round, posting a 12-dive score of 549.35. The freshman's top-five placement punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships in the one-meter. Melamud doubled back on day two, qualifying for the three-meter finals with a score of 289.90 to place seventh of 66 divers. The freshman finished 11th in the finals of the event with a 12-dive score of 547.10, securing her spot in the three-meter event at NCAA Championships too.
The Bulls had four more divers compete in the three-meter preliminary round. Sophie Meuwissen (21st, 262.25) missed the top-18 finals cut by less than two points (264.00). Presley Dorsett also earned a top 25 placement, finishing 23rd with a score of 252.90. Mallory Hanna (44th, 229.65) and Maggie Meyers (57th, 208.10) rounded out the Bulls' competitors in the three-meter.
Meuwissen qualified for the one-meter finals on Monday, placing 16th with a 12-dive score of 500.60. The junior finished 12th of 86 divers in the preliminary round with a score of 259.75. Dorsett (29th, 239.55) and Hanna (33rd, 232.00) also competed in the one-meter preliminary round.
All results from the NCAA Zone A Diving Championships can be accessed here.
UP NEXT
Melamud will next compete at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships on Thursday, March 19th, and Friday, March 20th, at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Athens, Georgia. All information regarding the NCAA Championships can be accessed here.
The Bulls will also have 10 swimmers compete this week at the National Invitational Championship in Ocala, Florida. The meet begins on Thursday, March 12th, and continues through Saturday, March 14th. All information regarding the meet can be accessed here.
For all the latest on Buffalo Swimming & Diving, check out the official website of the Buffalo Bulls, and follow the program on Instagram (@UBSwimDiveTeam), X (@UBSwimDiveTeam) and Facebook ("Buffalo Bulls Swimming and Diving").
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