Junior Marci Kacsir will try to qualify for NCAA tournament this weekend when she heads to Auburn University to compete at Diving Zones.

Kacsir qualified for the zone at a meet Jan. 11 against Wright State when she broke Michelle Lynch’s school record in the women’s one meter dive (284.03). By qualifying she will automatically be allowed to compete in the three-meter event.

Even though everyone competing wants to qualify for NCAA’s, Kacsir admits that her chances make her a long shot.

“There are a lot of really good divers there, and going to Zones, I’m just going to relax, and not really worry about the competition really because I’m not expected to make it to NCAA,” she said.

Kacsir went on to say that her goal was to dive her best and qualify for Zone finals. In order to qualify for Zone finals, divers must score well enough during optional dives (the first 11 dives).

This will mark the second time in Kacsir’s career that she has competed at Zones. Two years ago she failed to make it past the optional round.

Kacsir is also quick to dismiss critics that claim that diving is not a sport.

“I think people who don’t think diving is a sport should try doing it,” she said.

Reach Josh Buckman at [email protected].