NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware senior diver Matt Abbruzzese has qualified for a spot in the NCAA Zone ‘A’ Diving Championships to be held at the University at Buffalo from March 12-15.

During Saturday’s meet against William & Mary, Abbruzzese posted a score of 304.05 in the 1-meter board to clinch a spot in the regional qualifying competition. From there, the top performers will vie for berths in the NCAA Championships hosted by Texas A&M from March 26-28.

Abbruzzese previously competed at the Zone A Championships as a sophomore during the 2006-07 campaign. During the competition hosted by Rutgers, the native of Merrick, N.Y. finished 25th in the 1-meter dive and 27th in the 3-meter event.

As a senior, Abbruzzese has earned 10 top-three finishes while leading the Blue Hens to a 10-2 record, including a 6-1 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association. He has placed first on five occasions, second in three events, and third twice.

On January 13, he garnered his fourth career CAA Diver of the Week award after sweeping the 1- and 3-meter events against Towson. It was his first honor of the season after winning one as a freshman and two as a sophomore.

Prior to the Zone A Competition, Abbruzzese will cap off his conference season by participating in the CAA Championship meet hosted by George Mason on February 25-28. Last year, he placed fifth in both the 1- and 3-meter dives.

An honor student, Abbruzzese also garnered the team’s 2008 Thomas Baranello Award for Outstanding Achievement.