University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jerome M. Ibrahim
Swimming & Diving Send Four To World Aquatic Championships
July 13, 2023 | Swimming & Diving
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Four members of the UNC swimming and diving program will represent their respective countries at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, beginning Friday, July 14. Anton Down-Jenkins, Alex Hart and Aranza Våzquez Montaño will compete in the diving well, while Patrick Hussey will participate in the swimming events.
In diving, the top-12 finishers per individual event and top three teams per synchronized event qualify Olympic quota spots for their nation.
Down-Jenkins will represent his home country of New Zealand, Hart will dive for Austria as will Våzquez Montaño for Mexico and Hussey will swim for Canada.
Down-Jenkins is making his world championship debut after becoming New Zealand's first Olympic diver in 37 years when he competed for the Commonwealth Nation at the 2020 Tokyo Games. He placed eighth among the 29 divers. Down-Jenkins is a seven-time All-America diver and two-time ACC Diver of the Year.
Hart looks to improve upon his 17th-place finish on the 3-meter springboard at the 2022 FINA World Championships. He placed 15th in the event at last year's European championships.
Two-time NCAA champion and 2023 CSCAA Division I Women's Diver of the Year, Vazquez will attempt to qualify for her second Olympic Summer Games. She finished sixth on the 3-meter springboard at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Vazquez won the national championships in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives this past season, making her the first UNC athlete to win an individual diving championship.
Hussey qualified for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships by finishing second in the men's 200-meter freestyle at the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials. He swam a personal-best in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2022 FINA World Championships and finished 29th. Hussey has competed in the NCAA Championships each of the last two seasons.
The World Aquatic Championships will air live on Peacock with daily coverage starting Friday through July 22.
In diving, the top-12 finishers per individual event and top three teams per synchronized event qualify Olympic quota spots for their nation.
Down-Jenkins will represent his home country of New Zealand, Hart will dive for Austria as will Våzquez Montaño for Mexico and Hussey will swim for Canada.
Down-Jenkins is making his world championship debut after becoming New Zealand's first Olympic diver in 37 years when he competed for the Commonwealth Nation at the 2020 Tokyo Games. He placed eighth among the 29 divers. Down-Jenkins is a seven-time All-America diver and two-time ACC Diver of the Year.
Hart looks to improve upon his 17th-place finish on the 3-meter springboard at the 2022 FINA World Championships. He placed 15th in the event at last year's European championships.
Two-time NCAA champion and 2023 CSCAA Division I Women's Diver of the Year, Vazquez will attempt to qualify for her second Olympic Summer Games. She finished sixth on the 3-meter springboard at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Vazquez won the national championships in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives this past season, making her the first UNC athlete to win an individual diving championship.
Hussey qualified for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships by finishing second in the men's 200-meter freestyle at the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials. He swam a personal-best in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2022 FINA World Championships and finished 29th. Hussey has competed in the NCAA Championships each of the last two seasons.
The World Aquatic Championships will air live on Peacock with daily coverage starting Friday through July 22.
Players Mentioned
Diving
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Diving
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Distance Free, IM
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Diving
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