MODESTO, Calif. – Freshman Julia Coss finished third and earned a berth in the first CIF State Diving Championships to be held May 22 at Clovis West High School. She was one of five divers who competed at the Sac-Joaquin Section finals Saturday at Buchanan High School, the most of any school in the section.

“I am really excited, happy and honored to be one of the top four in the section,” said Coss. “It feels really good. I am really happy with my performance. I am thankful for the experience and I am so proud of how well my team did. We all had a great season.”

Coss was the only freshman in the field after qualifying at the trials on Thursday. She finished second at the Delta League Championships to teammate Tiffany Wong.

“It is very cool,” said Head Coach Dede Crayne. “I have watched Julia come along and build her confidence and today was the best she dove this season. I was really proud of her.”

St. Francis had five divers competing on Saturday, including Wong and senior Patty Sullivan in the varsity finals. Sophomore Kat Yo and freshman Molly Wilson competed in the Frosh/Soph finals earlier in the morning.

“No other program brought in five to this meet,” said Crayne. “I am proud for the girls. They worked really hard to get here and they had a lot of fun along the way. They are a delightful group of girls.”

Coss scored a total of 384.35 to finish third behind Mikeala Lujan of Nevada Union (483.55) and Madison Ice of Bella Vista (390.95). She credited her front one-and-half full as her best dive, calling it “one of the best I have ever done” in competition.

“I am pretty happy with myself,” said Coss. “There are some dives I could have done better but overall I think I did pretty well.”

Wong, the Delta League individual champion, was eighth overall with a score of 356.30.

“I felt pretty good about it,” said Wong. “I liked my back twister. It is my favorite dive. I had fun with all my teammates.”

Sullivan placed 11th overall with a score of 323.95.

“It is sad that I am done with St. Francis but I still have this summer to work with JO’s and my club team, so it is not my last dive meet,” said Sullivan, who will compete at UC San Diego next year. “I met a lot of unique people and new friends this year.”

The state meet will be hosted by Clovis West High School on May 22-23 with the diving competition on Friday starting at 8:30 a.m. The Troubadour swimming team will compete at the section trials and finals this week looking to add to the St. Francis roster at the first CIF State Swimming and Diving Championships.

 “I am really honored to represent St. Francis at states and I am going to practice hard the next two weeks,” said Coss.

Sac-Joaquin Section Varsity Diving Finals (11 Dives)

1. Mikaela Lujan, Nevada Union, 483.55; 2. Madison Ice, Bella Vista, 390.95; 3. Julia Coss, St. Francis, 384.35; 4. Natasha Sondeno, Pitman, 382.65; 5. Rachel Choi, Rio Americano, 376.25; 6. Alisha Miller, St. Mary’s, 372.65; 7. Kaitlyn Abernathy, Vacaville, 363.05; 8. Tiffany Wong, St. Francis, 356.30; 9. Melina Melburn, Vista dell Lago, 356.05; 10. Rhiannon Buttita, Vista del Lago, 347.60; 11. Patty Sullivan, St. Francis, 323.95; 12. Julianna Galindo, St. Mary’s, 301.75; 13. Logan Jackson, Manteca, 274.50; 14. Cammi Baumann, Gregori, 255.75; 15. Ashton Espino, Merced, 240.90; 16. Andrea Arredondo, Merced, 224. 25.

* Top Four Qualify for CIF State Championships

Sac-Joaquin Section Frosh/Soph Diving Finals (11 Dives)

10. Molly Wilson, St. Francis, 258.05; 13. Kat Yo, St. Francis, 223.55.