INDIANAPOLIS – Unofficially kicking off the 2019 NCAA DII Swimming & Diving Championships, the Greyhound divers needed to pass through one more hurdle to make it into the big meet. Tuesday's prequalification competition was thrilling to watch, as the Hounds competed alongside the top divers in the nation. Totaling four student-athletes between the men and the women, the Hounds were a perfect 8-for-8 in qualifying for the NCAA Championships, which start Wednesday.

In a six-dive format, Cassie Kury stood out as one of the top competitors in the field of 46, placing second overall on the one-meter board. Coming into the meet, Kury was tied with the highest degree of difficulty on 1-meter, with a DD total of 15.00. Kury's final score accumulated to 270.40 points. Kury continued did well on the 3-meter board, solidifying herself in the championships on a 237.35 score. Kury placed 17th in the heavy field.

Payton Staman also had a terrific day on the boards, qualifying for the championships in both events. His 1-meter performance earned him his highest ranking, as he finished the day in fourth with 266.1 points. This was largely due to his sixth dive, where he accumulated a hefty 57.35 points. Staman one-upped himself on 3-meter, placing fifth overall on 310.25 points.

Staman's junior-duo partner Josh Zylstra performed at an incredible level as well, placing fifth with 251.2 points in his set of 1-meter dives. Zylstra had a handful of dives that gave him 50 or more points, including a stellar 52-pointer in the third round. Zylstra was most impressive on 3-meter, racking up a grand total of 338.75 points. His stellar performance earned him a second-place finish in the field.

In his first appearance on the national stage, freshman Benjamin Rader didn't back down from the top competitors. The rookie ended sixth on the 1-meter board, gathering a total of 248 points. Rader was solid throughout the 1-meter round, never scoring less than 37 points. Rader also took part on the 3-meter board, where he once again qualified for the championships. Radar's 228.25 points earned him 15th overall.

The NCAA DII Swimming & Diving Championships will commence on Wednesday in the IUPUI Natatorium. Prelims will start at 10 a.m. The events that will take place during Wednesday's sessions will include the 200 IM, 50 free, 1000 free, men's 3-meter, and the 200 medley relay.