Bridger Thurston ’23 was named to the All-State Second Team and nabbed the All-State Men’s Rookie Diver of the Year honor in a vote of Virginia Sports Information Directors. Photo by Chuck Steenburgh ’86.
Bridger Thurston ’23 was named the All-State Men’s Rookie Diver of the Year April 17, 2020, in a vote of the Virginia Sports Information Directors. He also earned a spot on the All-State Second Team.
Thurston was ninth in the 1-meter dive with a score of 177.95 at the America East Championships and led the VMI men in 3-meter diving with 135.30 points. He won both days of the 1-meter diving competition with scores of 209.92 and 177.45 at Mount St. Mary’s and did the same against Howard University (140.30 and 220.60). He won both the 1- and 3-meter diving events against William & Mary University with scores of 233.10 and 224.6. Thurston took third in the 1-and 3-meter competitions against Davidson College in October.
“Congrats to Bridger on his accomplishments this season and being recognized for this award,” said Andrew Bretscher, head coach. “He had an outstanding rookie season, finishing first in many dual meets while also scoring some major points at the America East Championships. It is great to see his hard work and dedication recognized. Coach Timmes [’92] has done a great job instructing Bridger as well as the other divers, and I know Bridger wouldn’t be where he is today without their encouragement.”
2020 VaSID University Division Men’s Swimming & Diving All-State Team
Coach of the Year – Nate Kellogg, William & Mary
Swimmer of the Year – Colin Wright, William & Mary
Diver of the Year – Gerald Hodges, Jr., George Mason
Diver of the Year – Noah Zawadzki, Virginia Tech
Rookie Swimmer of the Year – Luke DeVore, George Mason
Rookie Diver of the Year – Bridger Thurston, VMI
All-State First Team
Free – Ryan Baker, Virginia
Free – Colin Wright, William & Mary
Free – Thomas Hallock, Virginia Tech
Free – Jack Walker, Virginia
Free – Samuel Schilling, Virginia
Back – Sam Tornqvist, Virginia Tech
Back – Joe Clark, Virginia
Breast – Keefer Barnum, Virginia
Breast – A.J Pouch, Virginia Tech
Fly – Blake Manoff, Virginia Tech
Fly – Antani Ivanov, Virginia Tech
IM – Ted Schubert, Virginia
IM – Casey Storch, Virginia
Diving – Noaw Zawadzki, Virginia Tech
Diving – Walker Creedon, Virginia
Diving – Bryce Shelton, Virginia
200 Free Relay – William & Mary
400 Free Relay – Virginia
800 Free Relay – Virginia Tech
200 Medley Relay – William & Mary
400 Medley Relay – Virginia
All-State Second Team
Free – Antani Ivanov, Virginia Tech
Free – Chris Balbo, William & Mary
Free – August Lamb, Virginia
Free – Jack Wright, Virginia
Free – Lane Stone, Virginia Tech
Free – Jack Doherty, William & Mary
Free – Filippo Dal Maso, Virginia Tech
Back – Justin Grender, Virginia
Back – Colin Demers, William & Mary
Breast – Jake Ball, George Mason
Breast – Ben Skopic, William & Mary
Fly – Ted Schubert, Virginia
Fly – Konnar Klinksiek, Virginia
IM – Ben Skopic, William & Mary
IM – Sam Tornqvist, Virginia Tech
Diving – Gerald Hodges, Jr., George Mason
Diving – Bridger Thurston, VMI
Diving – Jake Greenberg, Virginia
200 Free Relay – Virginia
400 Free Relay – William & Mary 8
00 Free Relay – Virginia
200 Medley Relay – Virginia
400 Medley Relay – William & Mary
This article was first posted on vmikeydets.com.
