Indy Star
What happens this week at the Natatorium at IUPUI will not be make-or-break for divers attempting to make the U.S. team for the Rio Olympics.
It is as serious as a dress rehearsal can be, however.
More than 150 divers, including Olympic gold medalist David Boudia, are competing in the winter national championships at the same venue where Brazil selections will be made.
Winter nationals opened Tuesday and run through Sunday at the Natatorium, site of the Olympic Trials from June 18-26. These nationals are especially meaningful because it is the selection meet for February’s World Cup at Rio de Janeiro. And the World Cup decides how many divers per nation may be entered at the Olympics.
As part of Natatorium renovations, the tower for synchronized diving has been widened.
Noblesville’s Boudia, 26, and Carmel’s Steele Johnson, 19, will compete in the synchro 10-meter platform final Wednesday and aim for Sunday’s individual final. They train together at Purdue, where Johnson is redshirting this season to prepare for the Olympics. They teamed for a bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup and were fifth at this year’s World Championships.
Shade Global 