USA Olympic Trials storylines to watch: Women’s 10M
Tier 1: Delaney Schnell. This is the 3rd and final event where I would be surprised if the favorite did not come out on top. Delaney does everything well and has a flat rip. Her list is 5253B, 6243D, 207C, 107B, 407C. Top to bottom this is a very common list for the best in the world. Delaney has been far and above our best platform diver for quite a while and this year is no different. One highlight for me when I watch her is her ridiculous toe point. She is the standard for what divers should aim for in that area. At the most recent USA diving national meet she beat the 2nd best American by 68.55 over 2 lists. I suspect Trials will be similar. Delaney is the one to beat. Hear her story on episode 58.
Tier 2: Jordan Skilken. Jordan is another consistent diver on the platform. Her 5253B usually rips and it’s her last dive. She just took 3rd at the NCAA championships and was the top American. Jordan doesn’t have the highest DD but she makes up for it with being clean and precise. Hear her story on episode 131.
Daryn Wright. Daryn is poised to have a great event. The more I see her dive the more I like her chances to represent the USA in Paris. She has the same list as Delaney, just needs to continue this upward trend she’s been showing. Daryn dives at Platform U (Purdue). She finished 5th at NCAA championships and was the 2nd best American behind Jordan Skilken.
Sophia McAfee. The dancing queen herself is also incredible at diving. Sophie truly brightens up a room when she walks in. Another Purdue diver who is always relevant at big meets. She’s very consistent and if things are rolling can really put a list together.
Anna Lemkin. The young superstar. Anna is the real deal. Her list has most of the big ones but she chooses 305C as opposed to a 207C. Typically you see divers choose between Reverse or Armstand but Anna takes a different approach. She’s clean, she’s consistent, she’s another Mission Viejo diver ready for the next stage. I would not be shocked at all if she were to earn one of the Olympic spots. Looking forward, I know she will be one of the top names in the conversation for 2028. If she puts it together at trials, the experience she gains will be invaluable.
Tier 3: Bayleigh Cranford. Another young superstar. Bayleigh is the only one in the field with a 307C. She appears to love the dive and she can absolutely rip it. If Bayleigh catches fire she could also find her way on team USA. As amazing as her 207C and 307C are I’d love to see more pointed feet on those as well as consistency on 407C, 107B, and 5253B. She can make me look so bad and leap frog many names listed above her. I hope she does. Similar to Anna, I think 2028 will be an even better opportunity for Bayleigh. The future is bright! Hear her story on episode 126.
Nike Agunbiade. Nike has represented team USA on many international meets. She has all the dives just needs a bit flatter rip. She does her dives very well and is frequently vertical, I just haven’t seen a ton of her dives disappear. She’s capable, I would just like to see it more. Nike with a ripped entry would be recipe for success. I love watching her dive and am excited to see her shine.
Janie Boyle. Janie is awesome. She’s someone that if I were a diver I’d want to be on her team. And if I were a coach, she’s near the top of my draft board. We had the privilege of getting to know her from our conversation on episode 160 and she’s someone I am rooting for. Her diving is excellent as well. A very solid 7th place finish at NCAA’s with a 63 point 107B to finish her finals list. I’d love to see Janie exceed expectations.
Katrina Young. Katrina has been diving for a while and still at a high level. So many parallels to Sam Pickens on the springboard side. She’s a proven veteran and has the dives plus execution to get it done! She finished just behind Daryn Wright at the most recent USA diving nationals. She’s very solid from top to bottom in her list.
Other Notables: Aliyah Watson. Keep an eye on Ali. She dives for Duke and I have see some crazy rips from her.
Taylor Fox. Taylor is another Mission Viejo diver worth watching. Very steady, give her another 4 years and she will be very much part of the conversation. Looking forward to seeing her dive.
Abigail Knapton. Steady and consistent she's worth the mention. She posted a 313.60 at the last chance trials qualifier that included an 82 point 207C. Excited to see Abigail in the field.
Looking ahead to the Olympics Delaney stands a chance to reach the podium. The 2 women from China are coming out 1,2. You can book it. That 3rd place spot if up for grabs Andrea from Great Britain, Caeli from Canada, and a handful of others can make a run. I think Delaney can be in that mix. For our 2nd member of team USA I would be over the moon if they made finals. I have no clue who that diver might be but I’ll be excited to see them represent the USA on the biggest stage in diving.
Written and submitted by Aaron Rooney