Dorman Wins Second National Championship
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Miami diver Sam Dorman continued his breakthrough performance at the 2013 AT&T National Diving Championships Saturday, capturing his second consecutive gold medal with a first-place finish in the 3-meter event.
Dorman, who earned his first career national championship in the 1-meter event earlier in the tournament, became the first double-winner by finishing with 487.40 points to grab the 3-meter gold.
“I knew I had a chance [to win both], but I also knew I had to take it one dive at a time,” Dorman said. “That’s what it was all about. This was a team effort – [head coach] Randy [Ableman] always makes sure I focus on each dive, and that really was our gameplan the entire day.”
For Ableman, a four-time All-American who competed on the same campus during his Hawkeyes career, Dorman’s performance was nothing short of spectacular.
“He has invested so much into this,” Ableman said. “He has worked so hard to get to the point where he is right now, from his recovery last season to here. To see a kid put in the work he did this offseason and have it all pay off is special.”
After finishing 14th and ninth in Wednesday’s preliminaries and semifinals, Dorman put together a solid list in the finals, highlighted by two dives that went for more than 90 points. He earned 96.25 points on his reverse 3 ½ tuck in round three and scored 91.80 points on his inward 3 ½ tuck in round five. He secured the win with 86.70 points on a front 2 ½ with 2 twists in the final round.
“I came into today with a good attitude,” he said. “I just listened to what Randy told me to do, and I followed through. Consistency is one of the hardest things for me, and I was not consistent at all in the prelims and semis. I was really focused today, and I came through.”
The Tempe, Ariz., native redshirted the 2012-13 season while recovering from surgery, but has managed to put together an impressive summer. After qualifying for the 2013 World University Games in Russia, Dorman has one more event to go in Iowa. He will compete in the finals of the 3-meter synchro alongside teammate Zac Nees on Sunday.
“The redshirt was definitely worth it,” Dorman said. “I’ve been busting my butt nonstop, and to see it all come together like this is great. I’ve put a lot into this, and it all goes up from here.”
Three Hurricane divers will compete Sunday, with Dorman and Nees set for the 3-meter synchro and rising sophomore Tanner Wilfong to compete in the platform finals.
