2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson

Birthdate:

November 17, 1977

Height:

5 ft. - 6 in.

Birthplace:

Houston, Texas

Hometown:

Spring, Texas

Education:

University of Texas - B.S. Public Relations

Club Team:

Woodlands Diving Team

Trains:

The Woodlands, Texas

Coach:

Kenny Armstrong

National Team Member:

1995 - 2008

Highlights:

Personal

• Daughter of Edward and Linda Wilkinson
• Has one brother, Robert (born 6/4/73)
• Married Eriek Hulseman on Sept. 7, 2002
• Nicknames are La-La and Wilkie
• Laura greatly appreciates the support she receives from her family
• Has two dogs and two cats
• Enjoys watching movies, drawing, writing, reading and training
• Volunteers with children’s organizations and does speaking engagements
• Gymnast for seven years
• Has been diving since age 15
• Trains six or more hours a day, six days a week
• Listens to music or plays cards, talks and laughs between dives during a contest
• Before every dive recites Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
• Has her own web site, www.laurawilkinson.com
• Likes to watch the movie “Miracle” for inspiration before big meets
• Prior to the Sydney Olympics, she made a collage with pictures and cutouts from magazines that inspired her or made her laugh and she has started cutting up magazines for a collage to inspire her going into the Beijing Games

Accomplishments and Accolades

• 2005 USA Diving Athlete of the Year and Sullivan Award finalist
• 2004 USA Diving Athlete of the Year
• 2003 WHOSAM Recipient
• 2001 USOC Female Athlete of the Year - Diving
• 2000 U.S. Diving Athlete of the Year
• 2000 USOC Female Athlete of the Year - Diving
• 2000 Top 5 Finalist for the Sullivan Award
• Nominated for an ESPY Award in 2000 (Female U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Year)
• Was on the Wheaties box following the 2000 Olympic Games
• 1997 and 1999 NCAA platform champion
• Received 1997 Athlete Performance Award at the U.S. Outdoor Championships.

Career

• 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Member
• 2008 AT&T FINA Grand Prix (Fort Lauderdale) Platform Silver Medalist
• 2008 AT&T FINA Grand Prix (Fort Lauderdale) Platform Synchro Bronze Medalist
• 2005 World Championship Platform Gold Medalist
• 2005 World Championships Team Co-Captain
• 2004 World Cup Platform Gold Medalist
• 2003 Pan American Games Team Member
• 2000 Olympic Platform Gold Medalist
• 2000, 2004 and 2005 USA Diving Athlete of the Year
• 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Team member
• 1998 Goodwill Games Platform Gold Medalist
• 1998, 2003 and 2005 World Championship Team Member
• 1998 and 2001 Goodwill Games Team Member
• 1997 and 1999 NCAA Champion
• 1995 World Cup Platform Synchro Bronze Medalist
• 1995, 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2004 World Cup Team Member
• 19-time U.S. National Champion
• 13-time U.S. National Team Member
• 8-time NCAA All-American

Source: USADiving.org