Ex-Wahine diver 12th at Worlds

Former Rainbow Wahine diver Daniella Nero placed 12th Tuesday in the 1-meter springboard finals at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Nero represented Hawaii at four WAC championships, winning at 3 meters her senior year (2012). She trained with the Wahine this past school year while finishing her kinesiology degree.

Nero stayed to work with UH coaches Mike Brown and Anita Rossing so she could achieve three goals: winning a Swedish national champion-ship, which she did in February, and qualifying for the European and World champion-ships, which she also achieved.

Her next goal was to finish among the top 12 at Worlds, which she accomplished Sunday by advancing to the finals from among 39 divers. Nero finished 12th in the first round to move on.

Nero will compete at 3 meters beginning Friday.

The swimming events begin Sunday and UH swimmers Eli Wong and Jasmine Alkhaldi will compete. Wong, who is entering his senior season, is swimming for his native Saipan in the breaststroke events. Alkhaldi, a junior freestyler, will represent the Philippines.