ORLANDO (USA Diving) – 2015 World Championships team member David Dinsmore won the men’s 10-meter title to close out the AT&T USA Diving National Championships on Thursday.
Dinsmore, who was 15th on 10-meter at the World Championships earlier this month, won his first individual 10-meter national championship with 422.15 points in a contest that came down to the final dive.
The championship was the second for the Hurricanes at the prestigious tournament; rising sophomore Briadam Herrera took first place in the 1-meter Tuesday night.
“It came down to the last dive, and that’s what makes a great contest,” Dinsmore said. “It was a little tough for me coming back from worlds. You’re on such a high and then you’ve got to get ready for nationals a week later.”
Dinsmore had a 25-point lead with two dives remaining but missed his fifth dive, a reverse 3 ½ tuck, for just 37.40 points. Dinsmore’s miss put Zach Cooper ahead by .55 points heading into the final round.
Cooper then scored 73.60 points on a back 2 ½ with 1 ½ twists, while Dinsmore countered with 90 points on a back 2 ½ with 2 ½ twists to secure the gold.
“I kept checking the scoreboard. I knew after my gainer that Zac and I were less than a point apart. I saw Zach nailed his last dive, so I knew I had to nail mine as well,” Dinsmore said.
Cooper finished second with 406.30 points, and Dominic Giordano was third at 360.35.
“It’s kind of hard to get yourself back up at the same level [after worlds], but fortunately I was able to do that today. I came out with good results,” Dinsmore said.
Head coach Randy Ableman is excited about the fall – Dinsmore’s first stint of collegiate diving for the Hurricanes.
“He’s already accomplished quite a bit, and he has a lot of development ahead of him, as far as his springboard goes,” Ableman said. “He should be one of the best in college diving in the 10-meter as a freshman.”