Tennessee's Liam Stone is clutch on final dive to win SEC title

Liam Stone emerged from the pool and was immediately wrapped in a bear hug by Mauricio Robles.

Picking up where Robles left off the previous two years, Stone kept the 1-meter springboard title in the Tennessee family.

The red-headed junior won the event with a record score of 468.30 to kick off the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center on Tuesday night.

“That was awesome. I came out of the water and he was the first thing I saw,” Stone said of Robles. “He has been a great mentor to me. I have learned a lot from him and even though he isn’t on the team anymore he is still very close to us and still doing whatever he can do for us. Him being here tonight made it even more special.”

Stone, the defending NCAA 1-meter champion, had to come through in the clutch to earn his first conference title in the event.

It came down to the final dive between Stone and LSU freshman Juan Hernandez and both performed the same dive - a forward 2 ½ somersault 1 twist pike.

Hernandez scored an 80.00 to finish with a total of 467.05. Stone climbed on the board as the final diver and barely rippled the water upon entry for an 86.40.

Once Stone resurfaced and saw the scoreboard flash 468.30 for an SEC, UT and pool record score, he pumped his fist while his UT teammates cheered wildly.

“I knew I needed a lot. I didn’t know exactly how much,” Stone said. “I knew I needed to be pretty good. I just tried to really dial in and focus on what I needed to do.”

Stone captured the 3-meter SEC title as a freshman, but missed last year’s conference championships while participating in the World Championships for his home country of New Zealand.

The graduation of Robles thrust Stone into more of a leadership role this season, something UT coach Matt Kredich has greatly appreciated.

“It’s really had an impact not only on the other divers, but I would say just as much on the swimmers,” Kredich said. “He has got his whole process for the way he practices and lives his life that is exemplary and unlike anything our athletes have seen. He is a model and he is also extremely likeable, so he is an easy person to follow. He has been great for our team.”

As he accepted his gold medal after the win, Stone proudly wore UT's coonskin cap. Although his standing as an NCAA champion placed Stone in the favorite role, he didn’t shrink from the spotlight.

“I am not sure about pressure, but it’s sort of inspiring and a cool feeling,” said Stone, who will compete in the 3-meter and platform later in the week. “I look at this as a steppingstone to the NCAAAs to defend my title. It was a heck of an event tonight, and I am just grateful I came out on top.”