Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
USA Diving Winter Nationals-Finals
Loukas Wins Pair of Titles at USA Diving Winter Nationals
2/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 7, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Former Indiana University diver and 2009 NCAA Champion Christina Loukas punched her ticket to China on Sunday, winning the women's 3-meter springboard and 3-meter synchronized springboard titles at the 2010 USA Diving Winter National Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Loukas will represent USA Diving in the 3-meter springboard competition at the 2010 FINA World Cup, June 2-6 in Changzhou, China. It is the premier international diving competition in this non-Olympic year. Loukas will be joined in China by IU senior Amy Korthauer who finished second in the platform competition on Saturday.
For the 2008 Olympian it marks her first national title in the 3-meter springboard and seventh overall title. Loukas trailed runner-up Abby Johnston by 2.35 points heading into the final round but scored 78 points on her last dive, a front 2 ½ with a twist, to claim the title with 721.90 points. Johnston finished second at 709.25 to earn the second spot on the World Cup team.
"I'm really excited I finally pulled it through and got my first title on 3-meter," Loukas told USA Diving. "Because it was also a World Cup selection, there was more pressure to dive well in the semifinals and finals, so every point mattered."
Loukas then teamed up with Kelci Bryant in the 3-meter synchronized competition where they won the national title in their competitive debut with 324.60 points.
The USA Diving Winter National Championships conclude tomorrow as Loukas and Hoosier Brittney Feldman take part in the 1-meter springboard competition.
USA Diving contributed to this report.
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