Laura Wilkinson did her third dive in the finals of the women’s platform at the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials to perfection.
Literally.
Wilkinson received seven scores of 10 on a reverse 3 ½ somersaults in tuck. It doesn’t get any better than that. It helped add to a perfect ending for her final participation in an Olympic trials event.
Wilkinson’s bid for a third Olympic team looked in jeapordy after a second round dive that received scores that ranged from 3.5 to 5. But ever the competitor, she roared back to perform a perfect dive.
“The second dive is a hard one for me,” said Wilkinson. “It was nice to come back with some fire on the gainer. It felt good, you just never know how good.”
“I think she was in the moment for that single dive,” added coach Kenny Armstrong. “That is the way we train.”
Great divers have the ability to block out a bad performance, and Wilkinson showed that she is a great diver with her performance.
“The game isn’t over just because you miss a dive,” said Wilkinson.
She did admit that she looked at the scoreboard after her missed dive. “I did glance over there. I was trying not to pay attention though.”
Wilkinson, as well as the top-six finishers in the contest, will move on to the U.S .Olympic Diving Team Selection Camp scheduled for July 2-6 in Knoxville, Tenn.
She will attempt to make the team in platform synchro, and will face second place finisher Haley Ishimatsu, and sixth place finisher Mary Beth Dunnichay in that battle. Wilkinson’s synchro partner is fifth place finisher Jessica Livingston.
For now Wilkinson will savor the moment and not try to put too much pressure on herself.
“I feel like they (the international divers) kind of count me out. The Chinese will be the ones with the pressure. And we will let them have that.”
- Laura Wilkinson (Spring, Texas) – 1214.50
- Haley Ishimatsu (Seal Beach, Calif.) – 1140.40
- Cassandra Cardinell (Loudonville, N.Y.) – 1059.90
- Brittany Viola (Orlando, Fla.) – 1046.25
- Jessica Livingston (The Woodlands, Texas) – 1014.60
- Mary Beth Dunnichay (Elwood, Ind.) – 899.85
- Heather Bounds Isle (Round Rock, Texas) – 893.25
- Michelle Cabassol (Montgomery, Texas) – 860.05
- Lindsay Weigle (Bloomington, Ind.) – 805.55
- Kristan Asman (Columbus, Ohio) – 765.15
- Vennie Dantin (Conroe, Texas) – 678.55
- Amy Korthauer (Naperville, Ill.) – 599.50
Women's 10-meter Platform Final Results
