Competing for their country is on the minds of three members of the ASU dive team as they travel to either Iowa or Canada to participate in the U.S. Diving Winter National Championships or the 2011 Winter Senior National Championships in London, Ontario.
Arizona State sophomore Riley McCormick will be returning to his home country of Canada for the competition in London, Ontario, but is unsure of what to expect due to his injured hand.
“I have ligament damages,” McCormick said. “Two [ligaments] in my thumb and one in my pinky [are injured]. It’s really hard right now for me to dive my actual event, 10-meter platform, because it’s just too hard on my body right now.”
While his thumb injury has limited his ability to properly practice and train, McCormick is still excited to return home and is approaching the event with an optimistic attitude.
He is the two-time defending gold medalist on the 10-meter platform at the championships and has already been chosen to compete for Canada’s National Senior Team at the 2012 Olympics.
“It’s always good to go back home and dive for Canada,” McCormick said. “I’m going in there with minimal training, which isn’t preferred, but I’m going to do my best and hopefully I will come out with a good result.”
McCormick, who has been diving since he was 5 years old, is experienced in big meets. He competed for Canada in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on the 10-meter platform, where he placed 16th overall.
ASU dive coach Mark Bradshaw understands that experience, as he competed in the 1988 Olympics, and feels McCormick will do well despite the recent injuries.
“He’s obviously [Canada’s] best 10-meter diver at this point, but we don’t know if he’s going to be able to compete,” Bradshaw said. “His thumb and health take precedence. If he gets cleared to compete I have no doubts he will do very well.”
McCormick will also be competing on the 3-meter springboard.
ASU freshman Hailey Casper is the other Canadian returning home to dive in the Winter Senior National Championships, where she will also participate in the 3-meter springboard.
She was also already chosen to compete for her country as part of the Canadian National Junior Team.
Although Casper is only a freshman, Bradshaw feels she has drastically improved since arriving in Tempe and he hopes to see her have a good meet.
“This is a [major] opportunity for her,” Bradshaw said. “If she places well in the 3-meter it qualifies her for some significant events [for the Canadian National Team]. She’s got high goals for herself and rightfully so.”
While his teammates are in Canada, ASU junior Cameron Bradshaw will be in Iowa City, Iowa, competing against some of the best divers south of the Canadian border on the 3-meter springboard.
“It will be a good test for him to see where he is against the big competition at this point in the season,” Mark Bradshaw said. “It’s all of America’s best including post-collegiate, collegiate and kids that are still in high school. It’s the best that we have.”
Cameron qualified for this meet due to his success at the AT&T National Championships last summer, where he placed eighth in the 3-meter dive and 14th in the 1-meter dive.
The Winter Championships also serves as an opportunity to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu
