USA Olympic Trials storylines to watch: Women's 10M Synchro
Tier 1: Delaney Schnell and Jessica Parratto. This is one of three events where I’ll be very surprised if the favorite isn’t on top of the podium at trials. Delaney and Jess have been the model of consistency and have the dives to compete with the best in the world. We have mentioned on the podcast that we may take for granted how great they are. Each time these ladies enter an event they are a contender at the highest level. I think because of that uber consistency they don’t get talked about nearly as much as they should. As far as the list itself their vols are 201B and 301B, optionals are 107B, 407C, and 5253B. I’m looking forward to seeing them compete again and would be thrilled if they represented the USA in Paris.
Tier 2: So many ways to go with the remaining teams. We have a litter of Mission Viejo Divers. Katrina Young showing how young she still is. Anna Lemkin, Taylor Fox, Bayliegh Cranford, Emile Moore, Kaylee Bishop, Katerina Hoffman, Avery Giese, Jaiden Lynch, and Abigail Knapton all worthy of praise and excitement for the future. We even have a few ladies pulling double duty trying to earn that Olympic spot. Just know that they are in no particular order, it’s anyone’s game for the remaining podium spots.
Avery Giese and Jaiden Lynch. Our first all Mission Viejo team for women’s 10m synchro. As we have come to expect from that club these ladies are ready for the next step. Coach John Appleman does a great job getting his team ready to go and I suspect we will hear these names for years to come. They do mix it up with 205B and 305C for optionals so this likely isn’t the Olympics for them but the building blocks are there.
Katerina Hoffman and Abigail Knapton. Ms. Knapton is very solid diver and any time the Hoffman name is competing the pool watches. I would say their list is a bit of an upgrade over Avery and Jaiden where they have a 407C as well as 207C to go along with 305C for optionals. I love seeing back and reverse optionals however the consistency piece is why many of the top team choose other dives. They should be in the mix.
Emilie Moore and Kaylee Bishop. They call her "Mini" Bishop but she has big league dives. They also have plenty of experience. Emilie competes for Stanford in the NCAA and Mini has been all over the world with the Juniors for team USA. Looks like their list got a recent upgrade for twister from 5152B to the more common 5253B. I’m excited to watch this team battle with the best.
Anna Lemkin and Taylor Fox. Another Mission Viejo team that is ready to contend. Anna Lemkin is the real deal. I’m incredibly excited for her future. Taylor is a diver that pairs so nicely with Anna. I’m sure the years together on the pool deck has developed a great chemistry while diving. These ladies have the same dives as our Tier 1 team so I think they have a great chance to be on the podium.
Anna Lemkin and Katrina Young. Yes, Anna has 2 lists. Identical top to bottom just switch out Taylor for Katrina. I can’t call it between those 2 teams. I will be surprised if Anna does in fact finish both lists all the way through. Maybe 1 team that she’s on emerges and the other will scratch. Pure speculation so don’t hold me to that but man it’s a lot of platform diving to do with multiple lists. Yes, Katrina Young also has 2 lists! She is an incredible diver as well. I’m assuming this will be her last Olympic attempt at 32 years old but again don’t quote me on that.
Katrina Young and Bayleigh Cranford. I know I’m going to catch some flack for having Bayleigh last on my list. Again, no particular order in terms of ranking. This is a really fun team. We have a veteran in Katrina and a young superstar on the rise with Bayleigh. Of course, we know about the 307C Bayleigh does individually but for Synchro this team has optionals of 207C, 407C, and 5253B. Bayleigh won’t be able to use her super power of 307C but she’s more than capable of matching Katrina step for step on these. They should be in the mix.
Looking ahead to the Olympics Delaney and Jess have a real chance at an Olympic medal. They took home the silver in Tokyo and are a very strong team on the world stage. China likely will not be beat, but between us, Great Britain, Canada, Mexico, People’s republic of Korea, many teams have a chance to stand on that Olympic podium in Paris.
Written and submitted by Aaron Rooney