The US heads into the Games after completing of one of its most successful Grand Prix circuits in recent years. Team USA won 22 medals in four Grand Prix meets this year after winning just 12 in seven meets a year ago. Many of the divers who won those medals are in Rio for the Pan Am Games, as members of the Pan Am Games team accounted for 13 of those 22 medals (three gold, six silver and four bronze).
The U.S. will be up against many of the world’s best divers. Based on the latest world rankings, three of the top five men’s 3-meter divers in the world will be competing at the Pan Am Games, and five of the competitors entered in the men’s 10-meter contest are ranked among the world’s top 15. The women’s competitions each feature three divers ranked in the top 15. Four of the eight divers representing the U.S. are in the top 15 in their respective events.
Dumais already has three Pan Am Games bronze medals to his name. He took third on 3-meter in both 1999 and 2003 and also won bronze in synchronized 3-meter with his brother Justin in 2003. Justin has since stopped diving, and Dumais will team up with Mitch Richeson in this year’s Pan Am Games. The two won a silver medal at last year’s World Cup and took fourth at the 2007 World Championships. Dumais also medaled individually on 3-meter in all three Grand Prix events he participated in this year, highlighted by a gold at the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix.
Boudia and Finchum enter the Pan Am Games having won eight consecutive international medals as a 10-meter synchro team. In March, they won a bronze medal at the World Championships and then went on to win one gold and three silvers in Grand Prix action. Individually, Finchum picked up a gold and silver in Grand Prix competition, and Boudia also made the finals several times. As a synchro team, they are ranked second in the world.
Haley Ishimatsu and Mary Beth Dunnichay, both 14, will dive individually and as a synchro team on 10-meter. Despite their youth, they won the 2007 synchro title at the spring national championships and medaled in three Grand Prix meets together after taking fifth at the World Championships. Haley, also the individual spring national champion, has considerable international experience, but the Pan Am Games will mark Dunnichay’s first individual competition in an international meet.
Sixteen-year-old Ariel Rittenhouse will look to join her mother as a Pan Am Games medalist. Ariel will dive 3-meter and synchronized 3-meter with Bryant, giving her two chances to become a second generation Pam Am Games medalist. Her mom, Sharon Finneran Rittenhouse, won gold as a swimmer in the 400m individual medley at the 1963 Games in Sao Paulo. Bryant, who won a bronze medal on 3-meter at last month’s Italian Grand Prix, will also dive individually on 3-meter.
Quotes from USA Diving Pan American Games team members:
Ariel Rittenhouse (Santa Cruz, Calif.)(Note: Ariel’s mother, Sharon Finneran Rittenhouse won a swimming gold in the 400m IM at the 1963 Pan Am Games in Sao Paulo. Sharon will be in Rio to watch Ariel compete.)
“It means so much to me to be here. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ve always heard stories from my mom about how great the Pan Am Games are, and I’m so excited to get that same opportunity. My mom was about the same age as I am when she won her gold in Brazil, and I know it means a lot to her that I’m getting that same chance.”
Mitch Richeson (Greenwood, Ind./Ohio State)
“The pool looks great. I’d seen pictures before I left, and it looked good then, but it’s even more impressive in person. It’ll be great to see it with the stands full of spectators.”
“I feel confident with my training. I’ve got a good mindset going into the competition and am excited for my first Pan Am Games.”
“I’m excited to be here. My fourth birthday (July 23, 1987) was the day of the Opening Ceremonies in Indianapolis. I always see posters and signs all around Pan Am Plaza with my birthday on it, so the Pan Am Games have always been a special event for me.”
Troy Dumais (Ventura, Calif./University of Texas), Two-time Olympian, three-time Pan Am Games medalist
“I feel good. My legs are starting to show up. This morning went much better. It didn’t matter if it was a little foggy out. They’ve done a great job with this facility.”
“I’m really happy I have my synchro partner here with me. He’s capable of doing some amazing things. The sky’s the limit. It’s just a matter of putting it together.”
“My plan here is to have fun and enjoy the moment. I’m just going to enjoy it all, and the diving will take care of itself.”
“The facility is beautiful. We’re lucky to be able to dive in a place like this. It’s outdoors, it’s warm … we’ve got it all.”
Mary Beth Dunnichay (Elwood, Ind.)
“I’m seeing everything really well and getting more confident. I’m getting familiar with the facility, and we’ve practiced in the bright sun and we’ve practiced in the rain, so I think we’re pretty prepared.”
Thomas Finchum (Indianapolis, Ind.), 2007 World Championships bronze medalist and U.S. national champion
“It’s really a big deal to come here. For a lot of us, it’s our first competition with all the sports going on and experiencing living in a village. It’s a good opportunity to help us prepare for Beijing.”
About USA Diving: Featuring America’s best divers, USA Diving is the national governing body for the sport of diving. Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA Diving offers diversified programs geared toward the broadest number of diving enthusiasts, from the novice to the world champion. USA Diving conducts approximately 40 regional and national events annually and is responsible for training and selecting teams that represent the United States at international events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup. For additional information please visit www.usadiving.org.
