After their last dive in the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials, Tyler Downs and Gregory Duncan glanced up at the scoreboard, then locked eyes with one another, covering their mouths in shock.
Downs had just qualified for his second Olympics at age 20, and Duncan his first.
It all came down to the wire in the men’s 3-meter synchronized springboard Tuesday night at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center on the University of Tennessee campus.
In their fourth dive, Andrew Capobianco and Quinn Henninger didn’t jump off the board simultaneously, ruining their synchronization and dropping their chances of heading to Paris next month.
Capobianco’s father, Mike, buried his face in his hands, realizing how hard it would be for his son to claim a bid to Paris.
But in their final attempt, the pair looked like one, nearly nailing the most challenging dive of the event.
“That will be the highest-scoring dive of the competition,” said diving analyst Cynthia Potter on the national broadcast
And though it was close, it wasn’t enough to pass Downs and Duncan, who scored 811.41 points. Capobianco and Henninger finished with 809.04, missing first place by less than three points.
“I’m just thankful for everyone here. I wish the camera could see all the people over here and the people in the stands,” said Duncan, pointing toward his family and coach. This has been the most amazing competition ever so far.
When Downs qualified for his first Olympics at just 17, he admitted that he never expected to make it, leaving him more emotional than anything.
“Now, I’m really dialed in,” Downs said. “Putting all the work in that we need to, getting to this moment, and actually getting the job done. It’s great.”
Duncan competed at the 2022 and 2024 World Cups and was fourth in the synchronized springboard at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
TOKYO OLYMPICS: Knoxville native Wes Kitts sets American weightlifting record at Tokyo Olympics
In last Olympics, Downs placed 23rd in the individual 3-meter springboard .
“You know, I didn’t do so well in Tokyo,” said Downs teasingly. “But I did learn a lot from there. And for the past three years, I have been going to all these international competitions and just getting the most out of it. Still, being 20 years old is crazy, but we’re ready.”
Kamryn Jackson is a sports intern for Knoxville News-Sentinel. Email @Kamryn.Jackson@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @Kamxjack.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tyler Downs, Gregory Duncan win synchronized diving at US Olympic Trials
