BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s diving graduate student Kristen Hayden became USA Diving’s first Black female national champion while competing in the 2021 USA Diving Winter National Championships Monday (Dec. 13) inside Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.
With her winning performance in the Mixed Synchronized 3-Meter dive, Hayden also became the first-ever Black U.S. diver to qualify for the FINA World Championships.
Hayden and her diving partner, Indiana men’s diving freshman Quinn Henninger, scored a 286.86 in their event to capture first place and earn a spot at the World Championships, set to take place in Japan in May. In the 3M, Hayden and Henninger were followed closely by Hoosier teammates, sophomore Anne Fowler and freshman Carson Tyler, who finished second with a score of 283.65.
Hoosiers swept Monday’s events, as the Indiana duo of sophomore Tarrin Gilliland and freshman Carson Tyler took gold in the Mixed Synchronized Platform dive with a 268.62.
USA Diving Winter Nationals will continue through Saturday (Dec. 18) at IU’s home facility, Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center. More information about the event can be found on USA Diving’s website.
