Oct. 26, 2011

GUADALAJARA, Mexico-- Stanford freshman Kristian Ipsen and partner Troy Dumais won a silver medal on their first day of diving, finishing second to Mexico's Yahel Castillo and Julian Sanchez in the synchronized three-meter at the Pan American Games on Wednesday.

Both teams remained close over the first three dives, before Mexico extended the lead after four dives to 27 points, never to look back and finish with 457.32 points. Ipsen and Dumais combined for 411.99 points. Cuba finished third with 384.33 points.

The Americans and the Mexicans were the only teams over 100 points after two dives, with Mexico leading by just .60. Both teams were separated by seven points after the third round, before Mexico scored 9.0's or better from eight of the 11 judges on a front 3.5 somersault pike, for a score of 85.56 to give them a 27-point lead following its fourth dive.  The U.S. faltered on the fourth dive, a forward two somersault twist,  scoring 6.5's or better from eight judges for 65.28 points.

On the fifth dive, Ipsen and Dumais rebounded on a reverse 3.5 somersault tuck to score its highest score to that point, 87.15 points. Mexico though had already tallied a 90.30 on the same dive, scoring 8.5's from eight judges. The duo finished off the meet with 7.5's in their sixth and final dive.

Ipsen will also compete in the three-meter springboard on Thursday, while graduate Cassidy Krug will compete in the three-meter on Friday and the three-meter synchro with partner Kassidy Cook on Saturday.

So far Stanford swimmers have earned a combined eight medals-- Eugene Godsoe (four silvers), Julia Smit (two golds) and Elaine Breeden (gold and a bronze).

Full Diving Results
http://info.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/ZZ/ZZS103A_DV@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ENG.htm