Indiana University Athletics
Hixon Advances at FINA World Championships
7/24/2015 5:05:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
KAZAN, Russia — Indiana University junior diver Michael Hixon advanced to the final round of the men's 1-meter springboard on the opening day of the 2015 FINA World Championships Friday in Kazan, Russia.
The 1-meter final is set for Monday.
Hixon finished Friday's preliminary session in ninth place with a score of 373.85 and was one of two Americans to make the final, joined by teammate Kristian Ipsen (400.70).
Hixon scored 373.85 points for ninth place and a spot in the finals. While Ipsen hovered in the top five for the entire contest, Hixon had to fight his way into the top 12. In 13th place after two rounds, Hixon dropped to 16th after scoring 51 points on his front 3 ½ tuck in round three. He remained in 16th place after the fourth round but jumped to 12th after round five, when he scored 64.50 points on his reverse 2 ½ tuck. He then closed out his list with 75.95 points on an inward 2 ½ tuck to move him to ninth place.
"That's the way these prelims go," Hixon told USA Diving. "It'll be the same on 3-meter. It's just a grind. It's not really about the hits as much as it is about avoiding the big misses. I had a pretty decent miss in the third round and I came back pretty well, especially in the last two rounds. I hit a gainer and then did an inward as well as I can do it, and it got me into the final," said Hixon, who is competing in his second World Championships.
Another diver with Indiana ties competed on Friday as former IU All-American Emad Abdelatif finished 27th competing for his native Egypt. Abdelatif tallied a score of 309.45.
Competition continues on Saturday as Indiana sophomore James Connor will compete for Australia in the men's synchro platform
USA Diving contributed to this report
The 1-meter final is set for Monday.
Hixon finished Friday's preliminary session in ninth place with a score of 373.85 and was one of two Americans to make the final, joined by teammate Kristian Ipsen (400.70).
Hixon scored 373.85 points for ninth place and a spot in the finals. While Ipsen hovered in the top five for the entire contest, Hixon had to fight his way into the top 12. In 13th place after two rounds, Hixon dropped to 16th after scoring 51 points on his front 3 ½ tuck in round three. He remained in 16th place after the fourth round but jumped to 12th after round five, when he scored 64.50 points on his reverse 2 ½ tuck. He then closed out his list with 75.95 points on an inward 2 ½ tuck to move him to ninth place.
"That's the way these prelims go," Hixon told USA Diving. "It'll be the same on 3-meter. It's just a grind. It's not really about the hits as much as it is about avoiding the big misses. I had a pretty decent miss in the third round and I came back pretty well, especially in the last two rounds. I hit a gainer and then did an inward as well as I can do it, and it got me into the final," said Hixon, who is competing in his second World Championships.
Another diver with Indiana ties competed on Friday as former IU All-American Emad Abdelatif finished 27th competing for his native Egypt. Abdelatif tallied a score of 309.45.
Competition continues on Saturday as Indiana sophomore James Connor will compete for Australia in the men's synchro platform
USA Diving contributed to this report
Players Mentioned
Diving
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