COLUMBUS, Ohio – Indiana University diver Michael Hixon won the national title in the 1-meter dive on Monday evening at the 2016 USA Diving Winter National Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Hixon, a redshirt junior at Indiana, won the event with a score of 825.40. With his win, Hixon will be one of two divers for Team USA at the 17th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary on July 14-30, 2017.
“It was a great night for Michael tonight,†Indiana head diving coach Drew Johansen said. “He kicked the rust off after not being at a National event since the Olympic Trials. I am excited to see him return to the World Championships.â€
Hixon was terrific in the final on Monday night, totaling a 414.40 on his six dives in the final after totaling a 411.00 in the prelims on Sunday. On four of his attempts on Monday, Hixon totaled 70 or more points, including an impressive 79.90 on his sixth and final dive – an inward 2-1/2 somersault pike.
In the women’s 3-meter dive, IU’s Michal Bower qualified for Wednesday night’s final in fourth place with a 10-dive score of 496.40. After registering a 238.35 in the morning prelims, Bower had an even better semifinal, posting a total of 258.05.
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Men’s 1-Meter Final
- Michael Hixon – 825.40
Women’s 3-Meter Semifinal
- Michal Bower – 496.40
