The University of Akron Athletics
Diving Alum Katie Carter Set to Compete at Olympic Trials
June 14 | Women's Swimming & Diving
AKRON, Ohio – Years of practice at the pool has brought University of Akron alum Katie Carter to the brink of the Olympic Games, as she prepares to compete in the U.S. Olympic Diving Team Trials next week in Federal Way, Wash.
Carter was a three-time Mid-American Conference champion as a member of the UA swimming and diving program, sweeping both the 1-meter and 3-meter conference titles during her senior season in 2009. She has continued to work under Akron diving coach Chris Medvedeff since completing her collegiate eligibility.
Now she sets her sights on the sport's highest plateau, competing against 31 other elite divers in the 3-meter springboard for the United States' two spots in the upcoming London Olympics. The event begins with the preliminary round on Tuesday, June 19 at 10 a.m. PST at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. The top 18 divers from the preliminary round will advance to the semifinal round, held Tuesday evening. The top 12 qualifiers from the semifinal will then dive in the finals, which takes place on Saturday, June 23. The event winner and runner-up will represent the United States in the London Games later this summer.
"I am so excited to be a part of this competition," Carter said. "It is an honor to be able to dive with the most talented women in America. My goal has always been to make the Olympic Trials."
Carter qualified for the Trials when she finished in the top 12 at the 2010 Senior National Meet.
Medvedeff knows the kind of sacrifices Carter has made to get to this point.
"I am very excited for Katie. She essentially put her life on hold for the past few years to train with this one goal in mind and now it is a reality," Medvedeff said. "Very few dare to make that kind of commitment, and to see it come to fruition is really remarkable."
Fans can follow the U.S. Olympic Diving Team Trials online at www.usadiving.org.
