KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – Juliet Radich (Fort Lauderdale Diving Team) won her second junior national title in two days with a win in 11-and-under girls’ 3-meter and Mikolas Schwickert (Clavadistas del Sol) won the 11-and-under boys’ platform title Wednesday at the USA Diving Junior National Championships.
Radich, who was first on platform on Tuesday, added a second gold with 249.30 points in Wednesday’s 3-meter event. Her final dive, an inward double somersault tuck, earned 46.80 points and was the highest scoring dive in the finals.
“It feels really good. I honestly didn’t think I was going to win because there was a lot of good competition. I’m very happy,” said Radich, who prefers platform over 3-meter.
Kayla Jensen (The Woodlands Diving Academy), who had already won bronze on platform, picked up the 3-meter silver with 236.90 points. Isabel Baley (City of Midland Aquatics) was right behind with 235.70 points for the bronze.
Schwickert claimed gold in the 11-and-under boys’ platform contest after finishing with 180.80 points, highlighted by an inward 1 ½ pike that earned 46.20 points. He was ninth in Tuesday’s 1-meter final.
“I’m really excited. I really wanted to make Junior Pan Ams, and I think I did my best,” Schwickert said.
Mitchell Caldwell (American Flyers Diving), who won gold on 1-meter on Tuesday, took silver on platform with 167.40 points. Matthew Brisson (Coral Springs Diving) scored 164.40 points for bronze.
The USA Diving Junior National Championships also serve as the selection event for the Junior Pan American Championships. Divers who win junior national titles in Olympic events will be selected to the team. Radich adds a second event to her schedule after having now won platform and 3-meter, while Schwikert’s secured his spot on the team with his platform win. The Junior Pan American Championships will be held August 22-25 in Santiago, Chile.
The USA Diving Junior National Championships continue through August 6. Thursday’s competition features 11-and-under boys’ 3-meter and 11-and-under girls’ 1-meter finals.