MOULTRIE — Elizabeth Ann Kirkland won the championship in the 11-and-under girls age group on the 1-meter springboard last weekend to help give Moss Farms a third-place finish in U.S. Diving’s East Nationals.

Kirkland, who had finished eighth on the 3-meter board, scored a 188.90 to defeat Blaire Mulka by nearly 5 points to earn her first championship.

“I knew she was capable,” Moss Farms coach Ron Piemonte said. “She just did a great job.”

In fact, both of the 11-and-under divers performed well. Leah Piemonte was second on the 3-meter.

“That was really, really exciting,” Ron Piemonte said. “Elizabeth Ann and Leah both were diving really, really well. Either one had a chance.”

The performances by the youngest divers in the Moss Farms contingent nearly led the team to a second-place finish in the event, which drew members of 50 teams to the Blodgett Pool on the campus of Harvard University in Boston, Mass.

Team Orlando finished first. U.S. Elite Diving, which had won nationals the last two years, was second with 118.5 points. Moss Farms was just a half-point back.

Piemonte said the team showing could have been even better.

Several of his divers performed well, but did not score as high as they did in Regional competition.

And several others, including Hannah Moore and young divers Tevin Hightower, Dean Benton and Ronnie Piemonte, did not compete.

“I personally think that with them, we could have won the meet,” Piemonte said. “But I’m happy with where we are in the spring season.

Kelsey Goodman also had an outstanding meet, bringing a silver and bronze medal back to Moultrie.

Goodman finished second on the 1-meter board in the girls 14-15 age group and was third on the 3-meter board.

Piemonte said Goodman had trouble with one of her dives during warmups, but hit it when it counted.

“She had a really good meet,” Piemonte said.

Thea Vock of Legacy Diving was first on the 1-meter board with a 312.20. Goodman had a 300.15.

On the 3-meter board, Nikki Craft of U.S. Elite Diving was first with a 312.25, followed by Vock, with a 309.70 and Goodman with a 308.10.

Also diving in the 14-15 competition from Moss Farms were Ali Lepech, Ann Perry Blank and Jillian Braun.

Lepech finished fifth on both boards. Blank was 11th on 1-meter and 12th on 3-meter. Braun competed only on 3-meter and was 27th.

Ryan Helms brought home a bronze medal for his third-place finish on the 1-meter board in the boys 16-18 competition. Matthew Cooper of the Montgomery Dive Club was first with a 429.50. Helms, the only 16-year-old in the top 10, had a 421.90.

Helms was sixth on 3-meter board with a 438.20. Kelly Marx of Team Orlando was first with a 492.35.

“Ryan was a little off on 3-meter,” Piemonte said. “On 1-meter, he was eight points away from winning it.”

Owen Blank was 23rd on the 3-meter board.

“Owen’s had a disappointing winter,” Piemonte said. “He’s been sick a lot. But he did some real good things.”

Anna Aguero was seventh on the 3-meter board and eighth on the 1-meter board in the 16-18 girls age group.

“Anna did a real solid job,” Piemonte said. “But the 16-18 girls was a real brutal group.”

Piemonte said the competition at the East Nationals was strong this year. Most event had around 30 entries.

“You had to do a good job to get in the top 12,” Piemonte said.

Moss Farms finished fourth in the East Nationals last year.

“We’re climbing,” Piemonte said. “And we were really knocking on the door of second place.”

The Diving Tigers will now begin preparations for the annual Moose Moss Invitational, scheduled for May 27-29.

Summer Regionals will be June 16-18 in Orlando, with divers qualifying for the Summer East Nationals, to be held July 6-9 at the Moose Moss Aquatic Center.

Junior Nationals are scheduled for July 26-30 in Indianapolis, Ind.