SEC Diving Day 1: Bennett Greene's Electric Final Dive Wins the Men's 1-meter Title
The 2026 SEC Championships kicked off with a thrilling diving competition at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center in Knoxville, TN. Defending champions Texas held strong, but it was Tennessee's Bennett Greene who made a stunning final dive to secure the men's 1-meter diving title. Greene's victory marked a significant achievement, as he narrowly beat Nick Harris of Texas by just 0.10 points, setting a new SEC Championship Record of 479.10, which was previously held by Juan Celaya-Hernandez in 2018.
The top 8 divers were:
1. Bennett Greene (Tennessee) - 400.80
2. Nick Harris (Texas) - 400.70
3. Collier Dyer (Missouri) - 398.25
4. Thomas Cipril (Tennessee) - 366.70
5. Jesus Agundez Mora (Florida) - 365.75
6. Carson Paul (LSU) - 347.20
7. Conor Gesing (Florida) - 347.00
8. Matthew Bray (Georgia) - 333.30
The final round was a nail-biter, with Greene and Harris trading blows. Greene's final dive was nothing short of spectacular, leaving the crowd in awe. As his score flashed on the screen, it was clear that Greene had taken the lead, with Harris just 0.10 points behind. Greene's performance was a testament to his skill and determination, and it earned him the first event win for Tennessee in the SEC Championships.
Tennessee's success continued with Frazer Tavener and Nick Stone finishing 1-2 in the consolation finals, adding crucial points to their team score. This victory also marked a special moment for Head Diving Coach Jane Figueiredo, who claimed her first conference title in her inaugural year in Knoxville.
The SEC Men's Team Standings after Day 1 of Diving saw Tennessee in the lead with 98 points, followed by Texas and Florida with 53 points each. Auburn, Missouri, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Kentucky rounded out the top 8, with South Carolina bringing up the rear.
The championship continues with more diving events, promising further excitement and competition.
