2012 was an incredible year for USA Diving, and one we will remember for years to come. In honor of 12/12/12, we present you with 12 of our favorite moments from throughout the year.
1. The last round of the men’s 10-meter final at the Olympic Games, with just .15 separating the top three divers. David Boudia came up big with 102.60 points on his back 2 ½ with 2 ½ twists to edge China’s Qiu Bo and Great Britain’s Tom Daley for the gold medal. The Star-Spangled Banner never sounded so sweet!
2. Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston winning the women’s synchronized 3-meter silver medal on the first day of Olympic diving competition, ending a 12-year medal drought for the U.S. That set the pace for Team USA, who went on to enjoy its most successful Olympic Games since 1988.
3. Troy Dumais finally earning that coveted Olympic medal in his fourth Olympic Games, pairing with Kristian Ipsen for bronze in men’s synchronized 3-meter
4. David Boudia and Nick McCrory edging the home crowd favorite Great Britain to win the bronze medal in men’s synchronized 10-meter in London, becoming the first U.S. men to win an Olympic medal since 1996
5. The final round of the men’s 3-meter contest at the Olympic Trials, when just 2.4 points separated the top three (and only two making the team). Chris Colwill was the first to dive and came through with 99.75 points on his reverse 3 ½ to put the pressure on Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen, who were spectacular as well with 91.80 points on their 5154B and 5337D, respectively.
6. The women’s synchronized 3-meter event at Olympic Trials. Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston battled Christina Loukas and Kassidy Cook dive for dive. Bryant and Johnston earned the Olympic berth by a mere .42 points, and no doubt the pressure-packed Trials helped prepare them for the Olympic stage.
7. Cassidy Krug’s dominating performance at the Olympic Trials. Krug did not miss a single dive throughout the prelims, semis or finals. Krug could have skipped her last dive of the finals and still made the Olympic Team. Of course, she did her final dive and did it well – earning 76.50 points on her front 2 ½ with a twist.
8. Gracia Leydon Mahoney jumping from fourth to first on her final dive at the Junior World Championships to win gold on 3-meter. She scored 73.95 points on her reverse 1 ½ with 2 ½ twists to secure the gold medal.
9. Haley Ishimatsu’s clutch performance at the FINA Diving World Cup, the final chance for countries to qualify for the Olympic Games. The top 18 divers in the prelims would advance to the semis and more important, earn their countries an Olympic quota spot. Ishimatsu was in 21st with only one round remaining in the prelims, but she scored 60.80 points on her last dive – a back 2 ½ with 1 ½ twists – to finish the prelims in 18th place, enough to earn the U.S. the Olympic berth.
10. Chris Colwill coming from behind to win the gold medal on 3-meter at the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix after closing out his list with 91 points on a reverse 3 ½ tuck to edge China’s Li Shixin by .35 of point.
11. Steele Johnson earning five 10s for 99 points on his back 3 ½ tuck as he cruised to his first individual senior national title with a win on 10-meter at the AT&T National Diving Championships.
12. David Boudia and Nick McCrory winning gold at the FINA World Series meet in Mexico. Boudia and McCrory trailed the Mexican team of German Sanchez and Ivan Garcia by 0.69 points heading into the final round. The Americans came through with 90.72 points – their highest score of the night – on their back 2 ½ with 2 ½ twists to win the gold.
Cassidy Krug’s dives in the Olympics. Such dedication getting her there. I worked with her while she was training and working at Stanford. She always had a smile on her face.