USA Diving announced today the coaching staff for the 2011 FINA World Diving Championships to be held this July in Shanghai, China. Leading the team as Head Coach will be Drew Johansen, Coach at Duke University. His position was earned based on his divers Nick McCrory and Abby Johnston making the team in 3 events. Nick will be in the Men's 10 meter individual event as well as the 10 meter synchro event. Abby qualified based on her first place finish in the 1 meter event at the World Trials meet held last weekend at Florida State. This gave Coach Johansen 3 spots, the most of any coach. Named as Assistant Coach is John Wingfield, the National Training Center Head Coach and coach of the 2008 Olympic Team. John qualified two divers, Jessica Parratto on Women's 10 meter individual and Mary-Beth Dunnichay in the Women's 10 meter synchro event for a total of 2 spots.
USA Diving also named three additional coaches to official team roster. Adam Soldati, Head Coach at Purdue, earned a berth by virtue of Davis Boudia's 10 meter individual and 10 meter synchro victories. Matt Scoggin, Head Coach of the Texas Longhorns, will be coaching Troy Dumais in the Men's 3 meter individual and 3 meter synchro events. The last coaching spot went to Kenny Armstrong, Head Coach of The Woodlands Diving Academy. He will handle the coaching duties for Christina Loukas in the Women's 3 meter and 3 meter synchro events along with Kassidy Cook,also in the 3 meter synchro.Kenny is a 3 time Olympic Coach and multiple time Senior National Coach at a myriad of international elite events.
Other coaches qualifying divers, but not on the official roster are:
Dan Laak, Head Coach at the University of Georgia. His diver Chris Colwill won the Men's 1 meter event at Trials.
Pat Greenwell, Head Coach at the University of Alabama. Aaron Fleshner placed second on 1 meter.
Phil Tonne, Head Coach of the Diablo Divers of Walnut Creek, CA. Kristian Ipsen on 3 meter and 3 meter synchro.
Wenbo Chen, Head Coach at the University of Minnesota. Kelci Bryant on 1 meter and 3 meter individuals.
Randy Ableman, Head Coach at the University of Miami. Brittany Viola on Women's 10 meter individual.
John Proctor, Head Coach for the City of Midland TX diving team. Anna James on 10 meter synchro.
Hopefully these coaches can attend the World Championships and aid in their divers events. FINA, the international governing body for Olympic Aquatic sports, only allows a certain number of coaches on the official roster and on deck for any diving event so there may be some coaching from the stands necessary!
More on this World Championship Team and event as news breaks throughout the weeks leading up to one of divings' most important events before next years Olympic Games.
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