ITHACA, N.Y. – The TCNJ women's diving duo of Gabi Valladares and Beth Evaldi opened up the NCAA Diving Regionals with strong performances in 3-meter board on Friday afternoon.

Valladares led the way score of 419.50, which slotted the star senior in seventh place among a field of 22 total competitors in Region 4. With her top-seven placement, the senior positions herself in strong contention to clinch a bid onto the NCAA Championships held in Greensboro next month, as Region 4 is given seven total spots to advance.

Competing in her first career Regionals meet, freshman Beth Evaldi ended the day in the top-half of the competition, as she finished with a score of 397.70 to place in 11^th.

The Lions duo will resume action on the board tomorrow at noon with the 1 meter dive.