Herrera Captures Title in 1-Meter at USA Nationals
DALLAS (USA Diving) — Briadam Herrera continued the University of Miami’s sparkling run at the 2017 USA Diving Senior National Championships Monday night.
A day after Zach Cooper punched his ticket to the FINA World Cup in China in the 10-meter mixed synchro, Herrera and Alison Gibson claimed the 1-meter titles Monday at the USA Diving Senior National Championships.
Herrera scored 402.95 points to win by 56.85 points and claim his third overall and second consecutive 1-meter title at the national level. Herrera also won the 2017 USA Diving Winter National Championships in December.
Conor Casey scored 346.10 points for second, edging bronze medalist Jacob Cornish by eight-tenths of a point.
Herrera capitalized in his degree of difficulty, which was the highest of any diver in the field. His most successful dive came in the third round with a front 3 ½ pike scoring 77.55 points.
“My front 3 ½ pike felt pretty good,” Herrera said. “I always try to do the hardest dives I can. I’m pretty short, and it’s easy for me to do all these dives. I have a little bit of an advantage over the taller guys.”
Gibson secured the women’s title with 266.20 points after also winning the 1-meter title at nationals in 2017. After sitting in fourth place after the first round, Gibson was able to build momentum in the second round with a front 2 ½ pike, which landed her 62.40 points and moved her into first place.
Through the rest of the competition, Gibson maintained the lead through the rest of the competition and ended the day with her favorite dive, a forward 1 ½ somersault with two twists.
“I really liked my last dive, the double-twister,” Gibson said. “It’s one of my favorite dives. I absolutely love doing it and it’s a dive I can really rely on. I always love competing with that one. I can just go out confidently and have a lot of fun with it.”
Hailey Hernandez (Southlake, Texas) finished second with 253.40 points, and Emily Bretscher (Knoxville, Tenn./West Lafayette, Ind.) picked up the bronze medal with 236.60 points.
The USA Diving Senior National Championships continue through Sunday, May 20. Tuesday’s competition features preliminaries and semifinals in women’s 10-meter and men’s 3-meter.
