Cardinell Upsets Wilkinson on Platform - Dumais Wins Three-meter

Cassandra Cardinell won the women's platform at the 2008 Kaiser Permanente National Diving Championships, upsetting Olympic bound Laura Wilkinson in her final contest before heading to Beijing. It was Cardinell's first individual national title, although she has 10 national titles in synchro events, and was a 2004 Olympian in synchronized platform. Wilkinson finished 12 points behind in second, but on her third dive, a reverse 3 1/2 in tuck, she received scores of 2.5 to 4. This of course, was the same dive that she received all 10's on at the Olympic trials. A bit perplexing and out of character, but better to do it here than in Beijing. Wilkinson was still leading into the final dive, but Cardindell hit her last dive, a back 2 1/2 with 1 1/2 twists, for 8's and 8.5's to grab the championship.

In the men's three-meter, Troy Dumais had his last tune-up before heading to Beijing, winning the contest and posting a good score of 521.90. Most encouraging for his Olympic medal hopes was a reverse 3 1/2 that scored 9's and 9.5's. The dive had been a thorn in his side all through the Olympic qualifying process. Finishing in second behind Dumais was Kristian Ipsen, who at the age of 15 looks to be one of the best young divers the U.S. has to offer.

• 2008 Kaiser Permanente Results