BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman Nicola Mancini (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth HS) became the first women's diving All-America in Bentley University history by finishing eighth in the one-meter during the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at the CrossPlex Complex Thursday night.

Mancini posted a score of 418.65 in the finals, which were won by Wayne State (Mich.) junior Paige Kortman in 468.60.

She exceeded 40 points on four of her six dives in the final round, with her best being a 45.50 on a forward two-and-a-half somersault pike and a 44.40 on an inward one-and-a-half somersault pike.

Mancini advanced to the finals by placing sixth of 22 in the prelims, with a score of 417.05. That effort included a 51.60 on an inward one-and-a-half somersault pike. She had at least 40 points on four of her 11 dives.

Also competing for Bentley in the nationals on Thursday were seniors Jessica Hodsdon (Brewer, Maine/Brewer HS) and Shelly D'Aleo (Enfield, Conn./Suffield Academy).

D'Aleo was 21st of 22nd in the one-meter, closing out her career with a score of 352.95. Hodsdon finished 25th of 29 in the 100 yard butterfly, posting a time of 57.82 seconds. She led her heat most of the way before being passed over the final 25 yards.

Hodsdon will wrap up her collegiate career Friday in the 100 breaststroke, and Mancini will compete off the three-meter board on Saturday.