University Southern California Trojans
Dashiell Enos Wins Pac-12 Title On 3-Meter
February 24, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving
ophomore Dashiell Enos won USC's first conference title on 3-meter since 1999 while seniors Collin Pollard and Deon Reid also reached the final on the first day of the 2016 Pac-12 Men's Diving Championships being held concurrently with the Pac-12 Women's Championships on Wednesday (Feb. 24) in Federal Way, Wash.
Enos, bothered all last year by a nagging back injury, looked pain free as he won the event with 419.35 points, 52.10 points ahead of Stanford's second-place Connor Kuremsky (367.25).
"After dealing with my lower back injury last season, my goal coming into this meet has been to feel healthy and strong," Enos said. "I know that I'm in much better shape this season and that's a huge confidence booster. I treated the 3-meter final as I try to with every competition -- to dive like it's practice. It was so much fun and it's an honor to win our first Pac-12 title in such a long time."
Pollard, in his 10th straight Pac-12 final, finished fifth with 357.40, matching his career best in the Pac-12 event. Reid, seventh last year in the event, was sixth with 346.90.
Enos edged in front after the fourth round with Reid close behind in second. Enos' fifth dive, a Forward 2 1/2 Somersault 2 Twist Pike, scored 74.80 points and gave him a 34-point lead, something he extended in the final. Only a misstep on Reid's fifth dive cost him a potential top 2 finish.
"Dashiell dominated the 3-meter event in both prelims and finals with consistency and class," USC Head Diving Coach Hongping Li said. "I am proud of him because he dove well and won the event but also because of his tough fight to get back from his back injury. He competed tonight as a true champion."
Enos's win was the first on 3-meter for USC since Justin Dumais won his second in a row on the board in 1999. The last Trojan to win a Pac-12 diving title on any board was Harrison Jones, who captured the 1-meter in 2011.
