GREENSBORO, N.C. – Senior diver Kailee Payne captured her third National Championship for the Ithaca College women's swimming and diving program, highlighting the second day of the NCAA Division III Championships on Thursday evening. Payne secured the title on the 1-meter boards, competing against 28 other divers, including fellow seniors Jenell Slesser and Angela Burke. Kailee Payne won the national championship recording a finals score of 486.30 and earns another First Team All-American Honor.

As the returning national champion in both events, Payne consistently improved with each dive during the 11-dive afternoon preliminaries. She started strong with a score of 39.10 on her 301B (Forward One and a Half Somersault Pike). Her highest total occurred with a 48.80 on her 5132D, which is the forward one and a half somersault with a free twist. She racked up a preliminary score of 466.30, with Case Western Reserve's Abigail Wilkov in second place at 456.60, followed by MIT's For Beratahani who was in third with 425.40 heading into the evening finals session.
 

Kailee Payne ended up running away with an exceptional finals performance that saw her put up a finals score of 486.30. She edged out Abigail Willow who totaled a 470.75. Angela Burke was the next best finisher for the Bombers, placing 21st with a score of 374.25. Jenell Slesser finished 23rd with a score of 367.60.
 
Divers will once again compete on Saturday, March 23 as they'll compete on the 3-meter boards.