Indianapolis, IN – Former Florida State diving standout Katrina Young became the fourth diver in school history to earn a bid to the Olympic Games after she placed second in the women’s 10-meter platform with a final score of 982.10 on Saturday at 2016 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials at the IUPUI Natatorium.
The Shoreline, Wash. native overcame a deficit of 25.80 points from a qualifying spot, posting a tally of 351.88 jumping from fourth to second in her final round in order to secure her first career bid.
“It feels great,” Young said. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s been a lifelong goal since I was young. I did gymnastics and diving and put a lot of hard work into it, and really was able to let myself feel ready to go and trust my training. I’m very happy.”
Young started the night in fourth place with a total of 620.25 after prelims and semifinals, but chipped into Amy Cozad and Samantha Bromberg’s near 26-point cushion.
She moved into third place following her armstand back two somersault with 1 ½ twists, which scored 72 points after Bromberg suffered a mishap on her dive. Young stayed in the moment and answered with a 68.80 point inward 3.5 tuck that would rank her second with a near 15-point lead over Cozad heading into the final round.
“I was aware of the situation heading into my final dive,” Young said. “I just needed to trust my training and my body and once I hit the water I knew I had my hands on it. I was just ready to do it.”
Young saved her best dive for last, scoring highest total of the night of 76.80 on her back 2 ½ somersault with ½ twist pike.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” Young said, “I’m in shock. This is something I’ve worked my entire life for and there are no words for how I feel. I’m sure once I see my family it will hit me but for now I can’t thank them enough - my boyfriend, my coaches, teammates and really everyone for the support. I really felt ittonight and it feels amazing.”
“Some days your windshield, some days you’re a bug and today, Katrina was the windshield,” FSU head coach John Proctor said. “She put together her best list, she stayed in the moment and go it done. She absolutely crushed it today.”
Young took part in one the most prestigious traditions of USA Diving, as former Olympians in attendance lend their rings to first-time qualifiers immediately following the event. Kelly McCormick – a two-time USA Diving Olympic Team member (1984,1988) and two-time medalist on 3-meter, gave her ring to Young.
Young (2010-2015) will join her former teammate Pavel Sankovich (2013-14, Belarus) at the Olympic Games in Rio. Sankovich qualified in April in the men’s 100 fly for his third Olympics. She also earns her place in FSU history with Phil Boggs (1976), Wendy Fuller (1980,1988) and Ariel Rittenhouse (2012) as Olympic divers.
