Indiana University Athletics
IU Duo Wins American Cup Title
1/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
January 10, 2003
CARDINELL/HILDEBRAND TEAM TO WIN
SPEEDO AMERICAN CUP TITLE
Bloomington, Ind. - Today was yet another example of why Indiana head diving coach Jeff Huber and the Indiana University diving program are widely considered to be among the nation's very best. During the first day of action at the prestigious Speedo American Cup, which is being held today through Sunday at the Counsilman/Billingsley Aquatic Center on the Indiana University-Bloomington campus, Huber's elite squad outperformed many of the nation's top divers. "As a whole, I though our divers performed well," said Huber. "Collegiate divers may very well be at a disadvantage at this meet because they are in the middle of training and are just coming out of final exams and winter break. However, I thought we had a great day."
During today's early action, junior All-America selection Marc Carlton (Webster, N.Y./Webster) finished sixth during the 3-Meter preliminaries. With a finish among the top eight divers in this event, he qualified for tomorrow's quarterfinal round, which begins at noon. The 3-Meter consolation finals and finals begin at 7:00 p.m Saturday.
"Marc (Carlton) did a great job," said Huber. "He really improved and was very steady. It wasn't his best performance, which is actually good because he's got something left in him for the next round. Ryan Fagan also did a respectable job against some quality competition."
On the women's side, 2000 Olympian and current IU senior Sara (Reiling) Hildebrand (Roseville, Minn./Cretin-Durham Hall) and junior Cassandra Cardinell (Loudonville, N.Y./Shaker) advanced to the finals of the 10-Meter platform. That competition will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. In this evening's action, Hildebrand and Cardinell teamed to win the Women's 3-Meter Synchro event.
"It was a little rough in the prelims," said Cardinell of her individual performance on platform. "Jeff is such a good coach and he gave me a nice pep talk after that round and told me to concentrate on one thing on each dive. Afterward, he said, 'Did you concentrate on that one thing?' I hadn't. I did, however, do a better job in the next round."
During the preliminaries, Hildebrand finished second to fellow U.S. National Team member Erin Sones. The former Stanford diver outscored the IU senior, 296.40-291.69. Cardinell (254.31) and Bloomington South senior and IU signee Lindsay Weigle (248.37) finished in eighth and ninth place, respectively, in the preliminaries, only points behind 2000 Olympic gold medallist Laura Wilkinson (258.87).
Weigle turned in a very impressive performance in the preliminary round and advanced to the quarterfinals. She did not, however, survive that round. During the preliminaries, senior Lori Matthys (Blue Grass, Iowa/West) narrowly missed qualifying for the World Cup Trials later this year.
Said Huber, "I thought Lori did a really nice job. She just missed qualifying for the World Trials so we are disappointed that she couldn't quit qualify today as she dove very well. She missed one dive and that seemingly kept her from qualifying."
In the quarterfinals of the 10-Meter, the 12 finalists were broken into two pods. Hildebrand and Cardinell participated in one pod, while Weigle competed in the second grouping. Cardinell (269.58) and Hildebrand (262.80) finished second and third, respectively, behind Blythe Hartley (unattached) (306.03) to advance to the finals. Weigle (230.91) did not advance to the finals out of pod two with Sones, Wilkinson, and Melanie Rinaldi advancing to the Sunday's finals.
Additional Indiana Quotes
Jeff Huber on the performances by Cardinell and Reiling: "I thought Sara and Cassie weren't as sharp as they could be but they advanced to the finals. We are looking forward to Sunday."
Sara Hildebrand on diving in Bloomington and in the month of January: "It's January, which makes it really difficult to dive in a big meet because we are in the midst of training. I dove better in the prelims than in the semis. I don't like diving at home. Actually, I hate it. It's too comfortable. Once you at the pool it is better but when you are at home you are at home and that takes away the feel of it being a big meet."
Cassandra Cardinell on diving in Bloomington and in the month of January: "I like diving in Bloomington where I have the support of friends who ordinarily wouldn't be at other meets. I know the facility. I don't often adjust well to other pooll. I'm not prepared for a big meet at this time of the year but this does point out what I need to work on. I know it will help me in the long run."
Players Mentioned
Diving
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