Courtesy: Florida Athletics
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida women’s swimming and diving head coach Jeff Poppell has announced the addition of junior diver Ashley McCool.
In her first two seasons at Arizona State University, McCool made a NCAA Championship appearance, finished top-10 in the NCAA Diving Zone Championships and secured five top-10 finishes at the PAC-12 Championships.
She will be able to compete immediately because of out-of-conference transfer rules.
Her addition, along with seven other 2019 newcomers, looks to bolster a squad that made huge leaps in Poppell’s first year as the Gators posted their best Southeastern Conference championship finish since 2011.
“After my recruitment trip I knew that this was the place I wanted to be, said McCool. “The team made me feel more a part of a team than I have ever felt before, which was a huge eye opener to me. Coming into this year I am so excited to train and compete with my team as well as coach Gillooly. I believe our team will do great things this year and I can’t wait to get started.”
“With all of our point scorers from last year’s SEC meet returning, Ashley can be a huge addition to our women’s team”, said diving coach Bryan Gillooly. “She is an excellent diver and competitor and had a lot of success in a very strong PAC-12 the last two seasons. She brings a lot of international experience with the Canadian National Team as well. I believe Florida will bring out the best in her and I expect great things from Ashley. I look forward to working with her.”
Ashley McCool (Cochrane, Alberta, Canada)
2018-19 Season (Sophomore):
- Competed for Arizona State University
- Secured two-top 10 finishes at the NCAA Diving Zone E Championships (1-meter and 3-meter)
- Placed fourth in the platform, sixth in the 3-meter and eighth in the 1-meter dives at the 2019 PAC-12 championships
2017-18 season (Freshman):
- Competed for Arizona State University
- Qualified for the 1-meter and 3-meter at the NCAA Championships
- Posted two top-ten finishes at the PAC-12 championships, highlighted by a runner-up bid in the 3-meter
- Named Pac-12 Women’s Diver of the Week twice
- Set an Arizona State University and Stanford pool 3-meter dive record with a score of 362.40
National/International Competition:
- Notched a third-place finish in the 3-meter dive at the 2017 World University Games in Taipei, Taiwan
- Broke a Canadian record in the 3M synchronized dive as a member of the Junior National Team in 2016