Ross Qualifies for Next Phase of Olympic Platform Diving

Aug. 22, 2008

Beijing, China – University of Miami All-America diver Reuben Ross once again qualified for the next round of his respected competition in the 2008 Summer Olympics, this time the men’s 10-meter platform on Friday morning at the National Aquatics Center.

Ross, under the direction of UM head diving coach Randy Ableman, represented his home country of Canada by collecting an opening-round score of 425.60. That placed him 15th overall just behind countryman Riley McCormick.

With second round action beginning on Saturday, Ross will dive fourth in the rotation. The overall leader after round one was Luxin Zhou of China with 539.80 points.

After qualifying for the second round of the Summer Olympics in the men’s 3-meter springboard on Aug. 19, he was unable to sustain that energy the following day as he did not qualify to continue onwards to the finals. Teammate Alexandre Despatie finished second overall for the event. China’s He Chong took home the gold medal in the event earlier this week.

Ross, a rising junior from Regina, Saskatchewan, was an NCAA Champion for the Hurricanes in the 3-meter springboard this past spring.

Women’s diver Chen Ruolin of China won the gold medal in Women’s 10-meter Platform Diving at the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 21.

Chen scored a total of 447.70 points for gold, the seventh diving title for host China. The silver medal was taken by Emilie Heymans of Canada at 437.05. Another Chinese diver, Wang Xin, finished third with 429.90.

Ross steps onto the platform for his first attempt Saturday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m.

For a complete schedule and results for the Olympic Games in Beijing, please log on to the official Olympic Games website at http://en.beijing2008.cn.