FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The stories of familiarity among competing young athletes – whether they are from a neighboring town, a different region of their home state or another state entirely – are told quite often. Here’s one from the sport of diving.

Carson Tyler of the Moss Farms Diving Tigers has a rival, and that rival was just a fraction better according to the judging on opening day of the 2018 USA Diving Zone B Championships. Out of the six events held Thursday at the Ft. Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, 14-15 boys 1-meter springboard had the most thrilling finish.

Tyler received an even 375 points over nine dives. Floridian Kevin Mendez earned the same score, only with a .6 added to the end.

“He was itching to win,” said Diving Tigers coach John Fox of Tyler. “He wanted to win. He’s been competing with (Mendez) for years and years and would love to take Gold in one of these events.

“He did phenomenal. It looks like he will have a good meet. If he can win Gold, that would be exciting.”

The Zone B meet lasts through Sunday, and Tyler still has platform and 3-meter to go. All events are finals, and Tyler is a 1-meter qualifier for the USA Diving National Championships in Atlanta.

Tyler had a 41.67 average score per dive (Mendez again 0.6 higher), and he scored above 50 in the highest degrees of difficulty (2.6 for forward 2 1/2 somersault pike and 2.4 for inward 1/1/2 somersault pike).

Also in 14-15 boys 1-meter, Diving Tiger Nolan Lewis placed ninth, which gets him to Nationals. Timothy Fagan 14th.

Bo Bridges, in 12-13 boys 1-meter, made Nationals by placing fourth at 293.45. He was 2.25 points from third. Jet Geovanni placed 13th here and James Kirbo 19th.

Tyler and Bridges will go straight to the National semifinals in these events.

Ruth Anne McCranie also did top 5. Fox said it was a competitive 12-13 girls platform, but McCranie was steady, scored 229 points and made Nationals. Teammate Shannon Icard was 13th.

Other Diving Tigers at Zone B Thursday:

11 & under girls 3-meter

Annabelle Brooks, 22nd

Maggie Strange, 26th

14-15 girls platform

Abigale White, 14th

Mauri Leroux, 18th

11 & under boys 1-meter

Jayden Bowman, 12th

Tuck Gregory, 13th

Judson Taylor, 15th

Braden Venet, 16th