ITHACA, N.Y. – The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) recently announced its season-ending NCAA Division III major award winners for the 2024-25 season. For the second consecutive year, Ithaca College saw Kailee Payne win the National Championship in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events and was named the Women's Diver of the Year, and diving coach Chris Griffin earned the Women's Diving Coach of the Year for the third time in his career (2018 and 2024, respectively).
 
Under Griffin's guide, Kailee Payne successfully defended and won the national championship that put an explanation mark on a record-breaking career. Payne would win the 1-meter with a finals score of 486.30, which edged out Abigal Willow who totaled a 470.75. The senior put together a sensational 11-dive preliminary round that saw her break an NCAA record with her total of 530.95. She would continue her dominance during the finals session and secured her fourth-career national title with a finals score of 522.80, which topped Abigail Wilkov from Case Western who scored a 501.65.
 
For the full press release from the CSCAA, click here.