Cook back on top, headed to Rio
After failing to reach London, Woodlands diver wins 3-meter trial
INDIANAPOLIS — Four years removed from one of the biggest disappointments of her young life and a series of injuries that left her questioning whether she was a has-been at age 19, Kassidy Cook won the 3-meter competition at the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials to earn a spot in Rio.
Less than 18 months after returning to competition, Cook led from start to finish in the individual 3-meter finals Sunday and landed one of the two spots on the American team with a score of 1,003.65.
Abby Johnston, who was part of the team that knocked Cook out of the London Olympics, was second at 949.3 points. Laura Reedy was third at 898.8.
Afterward, Cook, 21, sprinted to hug her coach then climbed into the stands to thank friends and family — four sisters, a brother, both parents and two brothers-in-law, by Cook’s count.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Cook said. “Beyond exhilarated … an unreal moment … will never forget.”
Cook, who graduated from The Woodlands High School in 2013 following a career that included two University Interscholastic League state titles and the 2009 world junior championship, missed the 2012 Olympic team with syn-
chro partner Christina Loukas by four-tenths of a point to eventual silver medalists Kelci Bryant and Johnston.
Sunday’s performance capped a comeback for Cook, who was injured after the 2012 Olympic Trials and twice underwent surgery on her right shoulder before enrolling in the fall of 2013 at Stanford University. Hampered by those injuries and by a knee injury that also required surgery, she twice medaled at the 2015 NCAA championships but thought she had lost the edge required for international competition.
“It’s made me mature, made me the person I am today,” Cook said. “You discover yourself when you’re dealing with hardships, not when you’re at your highest points.”
When Cook decided to train for Rio, she returned to The Woodlands from Stanford to be coached by Kenny Armstrong, who mentored Laura Wilkinson to a 2000 gold medal in 10-meter platform.
Cook won two national championships during the 2015-16 season and was seventh at a World Cup event in the Olympic outdoor diving well in Rio.
Now, she has her spot on the Olympic team.
On the men’s side, David Boudia will dive for another Olympic medal after winning the 10-meter.
The defending Olympic champion in the event won with a total score of 1,534.4 points. Steele Johnson finished second with 1,475.15 points and qualified for his first individual Olympic event.