March of the champions
Earlier this spring, diver Danica Roskos and wrestler Mike Denver captured national titles.
Less than two weeks after senior wrestler Mike Denver (above) capped off an impressive career with a national championship on March 10, junior Danica Roskos (below) became the first diver in Lions’ program history to win back-to-back national crowns when she captured the one-meter event in thrilling fashion.
Roskos, who won two titles at last year’s nationals, trailed throughout the 2012 NCAA Championships until she nailed a two-and-a-half front twister on her final dive to capture the title, 450.60 to 448.75, over Baldwin Wallace College’s Julie Pinter. Roskos became just the fifth Lion in College history to win a national title in back-to-back years in an individual event.
Denver, who was ranked nationally for much of his senior year at 184 pounds, lived up to that billing at nationals, going 5–0 in the tournament and defeating Mike Reilly of King’s College via fall in 3:55 in the title bout. During his career, Denver was a three-time All-American and has the most career wins (143) on record in one of the most storied programs.
Denver photo (c) Jeff Thompson for NCAA Photos; Roskos photo (c) TCNJ Sports Information.
Posted on June 5, 2012