Caroline Knopke made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Rockhurst swimmer or diver to qualify for the NCAA Division II Championships.
 
Knopke, a senior from Overland Park, Kansas, finished in 14th place in the 1-meter diving NCAA preliminaries in Geneva, Ohio to earn a spot in Saturday's national championships.

"Caroline hit some of her best dives of the season today," said Rockhurst swimming & diving coach Doug Schranck, who credited volunteer diving coach Ford McLiney for working with Knopke this year.

Knopke, who is in her first year as a collegiate diver, averaged a 5.42 score for each of her six dives in Tuesday's prelims. She was one of 22 divers out of 49 competitors to advance.

Saturday afternoon, Knopke will be allowed 11 dives with the top 16 divers advancing to the final round Saturday night in Geneva.

"I think she has a shot at getting to the finals and becoming an All-American. She definitely has room to move up," added Schranck.