August 8, 2007

Speedo Junior National Championships: Ipsen, Ishimatsu win again; Arnett, Livingston also pick up gold medals
 
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – For the second day in a row, Kristian Ipsen (Clayton, Calif.) and Victoria Ishimatsu (Seal Beach, Calif.) won titles at the Speedo Junior National Championships. Ipsen was crowned the boys 14-15 3-meter champion and Ishimatsu took top honors in the girls 16-18 1-meter contest Wednesday, a day after winning titles on platform and 3-meter, respectively.

Kaylea Arnett (Spring, Texas) and Drew Livingston (The Woodlands, Texas) also won gold on Wednesday, with Arnett taking the title in girls 14-15 1-meter and Livingston winning the boys 16-18 3-meter event.

For Ipsen, Wednesday’s victory was the 10 th junior national title of his career. He scored 528.05 points for a dominating win on 3-meter. David Bonuchi (Columbia, Mo.) won silver for the second day in a row, scoring 425.45 points. Christian Holstein (Columbus, Ohio) scored 393.85 points for his second bronze medal of the championships. Connor Kuremsky (Wexford, Pa.) was fourth at 384.65, followed by Brian Peters (Sunnyvale, Calif.) at 363.50.

“Before a meet, I set a goal for myself on each so I have something to aim for and really push for,” Ipsen said. “I felt really good about it. I worked with my old coach, Karla Helder, on my hurdles and I felt like I was getting higher off the board, so that was a plus.”

While Ipsen dominated his contest, Ishimatsu once again eked out a close win. After winning 3-meter by about five points on Tuesday, Ishimatsu won the 1-meter contest by 3.1 points as she scored 403.60 points to once again beat silver medalist Bianca Alvarez (Miami, Fla.), who scored 400.50 points. Abby Johnston (Columbus, Ohio) picked up another bronze with 373.70 points. Jessica Lyden (Lexington, Ky.) was a close fourth at 372.25, and Lauren Caldwell (Midland, Texas) scored 365.050 points for fifth.

“I looked (at the scores) right before the last dive, and I knew I had to hit. I just went for it,” Ishimatsu said. “I feel good. I won 1-meter and 3-meter, so I’m going out well.”

Arnett’s win was even closer. Arnett, who also won 1-meter as a 13-under diver last year, scored 320.65 points to beat Loren Figueroa (Kingwood, Texas) by less than two points. Figueroa finished second with 318.50 points, while Sarah Chewning (Springdale, Ark.) won bronze at 312.95. Cosima Lenz (Altadena, Calif.), a bronze medalist on Tuesday, finished fourth with 301.85 points, with Kelly Markle (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) placing fifth at 297.60.

“I was just trying to dive my best and tried to stay relaxed,” Arnett said. “I definitely think finals were better than prelims. I don’t think I would have changed anything.”

Livingston won the boys 16-18 3-meter with 554.70 points, and Ryan Helms (Moultrie, Ga.) won his second silver with 529.250 points. Brent Eichenseer (Columbus, Ohio) was third at 502.15 points, and John Geyer (La Canada, Calif.) took fourth at 489.95. Harrison Jones (Spring, Texas), who won the 1-meter title on Tuesday, scored 478.55 points for fifth.

“It was tough. I’ve never dove like that on 3-meter before. Ryan Helms put me on the spot by getting 9s on his last dive, so I knew I was going to have to hit my last dive,” Livingston said. “I was consistent and got 7s on everything. Usually I tend to miss something, so I’m just happy I hit everything.”

The Speedo Junior National Championships continue through August 11.

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