Learning experience is the key phrase for the women’s diving team.

For Patricia Akerman, Madolyn “Dindo” Scotty, and Susan Shaughnessy, it has been a season of learning. All three had to take in the ideas of a new coach.

First-year coach Chris Chelich and his divers had different viewpoints at the beginning of the season. The three divers and the coach agreed everyone got on each others nerves once in a while, but also said they have learned to work together.

While the regular season is over, the tournament season is just beginning for sophomores Scotty and Shaughnessy. This past weekend Shaughnessy placed 10th in the one-meter dive and fifth in the three-meter dive, while Scotty took seventh and sixth in the two events at the Midwest Regional Championships.

The two will represent NIU at the NCAA Zone Diving Qualifications at Champaign, Ill., March 13 and 14.

Performance at the zone meets determines who will go on to nationals, and only the top eight divers can advance.

Chelich said he believes Scotty and Shaughnessy will have a great experience at this meet because of the excellent competition. He went on to say that, even if neither one makes nationals, they are still young enough to prepare for the years ahead.

Scotty and Shaughnessy agreed with Chelich about the competitive level. Both said they are excited about the upcoming meet.

“It is going to be a good meet,” Scotty said. “It is not going to be easy, because it so competitive.”

Chelich called Scotty a hard worker. He said she is strong-minded and knows what she wants.

“Dindo will be able to scope out the competition,” Chelich said. “She will see there is a lot of work involved, and she can find out what it takes.”

Shaughnessy, who transferred to NIU after one year at Texas Tech, said she hopes her dives are better at the zone competition than they were at regionals. She said she was disappointed with her regional diving performance.

“I am going to be more up for this meet,” Shaughnessy said. “Even if I don’t make it to nationals this year, I am aiming to make it next year.”

Chelich said he feels Shaughnessy could have a chance at it this year if she puts her talent to use.

“Sue has a lot of talent,” Chelich said. “It’s all up to her. She has to go into the meet thinking nothing but diving.”

The third diver on the team, Akerman, didn’t make it to zones this year, but she intends to aim for it next year. Akerman missed qualifying by seven points this year. Even though she was disappointed by her failure to qualify, she believes she has greatly improved since the beginning of the season.

“I’ve improved a lot.” Akerman said. “I had never even been on the high dive before this year.”

Chelich said he has been really pleased with Akerman. He went on to say that she came to NIU knowing little about meets, but she was a quick learner.

“She definitely is the most improved,” Chelich said. “She is very mature and knows what she wants. She could definitely make zones next year if she keeps up her hard work.”