Clarion, Pa. – The Duquesne University diving team kicked off its 2025–26 season on Saturday afternoon, posting 137.0 team points at the Clarion Fall Classic.

All six Duquesne divers competed for the Dukes, with five placing in the top 10 in the one-meter dive. Senior Ashley Felitsky led the team with a strong second-place finish, posting a final score of 258.45 over six dives. Sophomore Brianne Dempsey followed closely in fourth with 243.90 points, while graduate student Lola Dragosavac (227.75) and junior Erin Castagnero (212.00) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Freshmen Grace Hedger and Elly Huron made impressive collegiate debuts in their first competition as Dukes. Hedger tallied 198.75 points to earn ninth place, while Huron narrowly missed the top 10, finishing 11th with a score of 182.80.

In the three-meter event, four Duquesne divers placed in the top 10, once again led by Felitsky, who earned the bronze medal with a final score of 243.90 over six dives. Dempsey followed in fifth with 221.35 points, while Castagnero took sixth with a score of 215.80. Competing in her first competition as a Duke, Dragosavac recorded 205.65 points to secure ninth place. Huron (189.95) and Hedger (188.00) rounded out the Duquesne lineup, finishing 11th and 12th, respectively, among 22 competitors.

QUOTABLE
"The girls did what they needed to do," diving coach Alexa Gonczi said, who made her coaching debut at Clarion. "There are improvements that will be made, but overall, it is a great meet to build off of." 

UP NEXT
The Duquesne swimming and diving team will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18 when it travels to Hampton, Va. to compete at the Richmond Duals.

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