FEDERAL WAY, Washington (Ticker) -- Mark Ruiz completed a
personal sweep at the United States Olympic diving trials today,
qualifying for the 10-meter platform.
Ruiz finished first in the event with 1,154.97 points, just over
five more than David Pichler, who also qualified for the 2000
Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
A native of Orlando, Florida, Ruiz also qualified for the
3-meter springboard on Thursday, getting rewarded with 98.70
points on his final try.
Overall, seven of 51 U.S. divers qualified at the six-day meet.
Troy Dumais qualified with Ruiz for the 3-meter springboard on
Thursday, hours after he passed a kidney stone for the second
time that day.
Laura Wilkinson qualified for the women's 10-meter platform on
Saturday, three months after she broke her right foot in three
places while dryland training at a meet. Her third dive of the
trial earned six 10s and one 9.
"It was great," she said. "I had all my family here. It was
awesome. I just have to say ... we flew on God's wings. I
think that just says it all."
Sara Reiling also qualified for the women's 10-meter platform,
finishing less than 39 points behind Wilkinson.
"I had a great time up there," she said.
The women's 3-meter springboard spots went to Jenny Keim and
Michelle Davison, who qualified on Wednesday. Keim earned her
second Olympic berth and Davison her first.
"I'm hoping that this will turn out a little better," said Keim,
whose family lives in Australia. "Last time, I didn't compete
quite as well as I wanted to."
"I'm on cloud 11," Davison added.
The synchronized team -- made up of those who qualified this
week -- will be announced no later than 48 hours before the
start of the first synchronized Olympic event.
