Dinsmore Takes Second, Cooper Fourth on Platform
AUSTIN, Texas — Redshirt junior David Dinsmore and sophomore Zach Cooper turned in two strong performances in the platform finals to cap Miami’s run at the 2019 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships Saturday night.
Dinsmore finished as the national runner-up (440.75 points), missing out on the second NCAA platform title of his career by fewer than seven points. Cooper, who finished seventh in last year’s platform, took fourth place in a standout performance (407.80) at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center.
Dinsmore found himself atop the leaderboard for most of the night, and got off to a strong start when he nailed an inward 3 1/2 somersault tuck on his first dive for a score of 91.20.
Leading by three points heading into his final dive, Dinsmore fell just short when he scored 77.40 on a back 2 1/2 somersault, 2 1/2 twist pike. Jordan Windle of Texas took the title with a score of 447.00.
“I think David was a little bit nervous. He got off to a great start, and usually when that happens, he keeps on rolling,” head diving coach Randy Ableman said. “Obviously some other guys did some great dives. He and Jordan had the same last dive, which is David’s best dive. We’ve been in that position many times before, and he usually comes through. He missed it by just a little bit.”
Ableman said Dinsmore’s runner-up finish will provide fuel heading into the offseason.
“It’s going to be motivation for us to go back to work. The answer for our whole team is, we need to get better,” Ableman said.
Cooper’s top-scoring dive on the night was an armstand back 2 somersault, 2 1/2 twist free that scored 79.20. His last dive was identical to Dinsmore’s – a back 2 1/2 somersault, 2 1/2 twist pike that earned him the same score of 77.40.
Cooper finished ahead of the 2018 NCAA platform champion, Colin Zeng of Tennessee (406.00) points.
“I think that’s Zach’s highest score, and to do it in the finals of the NCAA Championships, I’m very happy,” Ableman said. “He wasn’t perfect, but nobody was. For Zach and how he has been training, this was a major victory. I’m super proud of him.”
At the conclusion of the NCAA Championships, Miami’s men’s trio of Briadam Herrera, Cooper and Dinsmore combined for four NCAA All-America honors, three top-four finishes and two NCAA silver medals. The trio now begins preparation for the USA Diving Grand Prix in Mission Viejo, Calif.
“We didn’t quite get what we wanted here,” Ableman said. “But the beautiful thing about this sport is there’s always another meet. All three of these boys are representing the United States in two weeks. We’re the only school with that representation, and I’m very proud of that. I’m going to regroup these guys and we’re going to keep marching forward.”
