Aaron Fleshner Earns Invitation to U.S. Diving Olympic Trials
5/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
May 29, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Sophomore Aaron Fleshner received an invitation recently that ramped up the excitement level surrounding his summer plans quite a bit. The All-American diver, who finished third off the three-meter board at the recent NCAA Championships, has been invited to competed at the United States Olympic trials in late June.
At the trials, which will be held June 18-22 in Indianapolis, Ind., Fleshner will via for one of the two spots available on the U.S. team off the three-meter board along with 14 other divers from around the nation. The winners of the three-meter and platform events automatically earn a spot on the team while the second spot will be filled from the Olympic Team Selection Camp which will be held July 2-6 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Until the trials, Fleshner will be in Tuscaloosa, training at the Alabama Aquatic Center with long-time Crimson Tide diving coach Pat Greenwell. Greenwell, who just completed his 21st season at Alabama, thinks Fleshner definitely has a chance to make it to Beijing, site of the 2008 games.
"The way he's been diving recently... he has a chance," Greenwell said. "He's really starting to put it together, hitting some big dives. I think if he goes and does what he's capable of; the sky is pretty much the limit."
While one diver on each event will automatically make the U.S. team at the trials, the next three on each event will advance to the training camp where the second diver on each event will be chosen. To make the team, the 2008 Southeastern Conference three-meter champion will face off against the likes of two-time Olympians Troy Dumais and Mark Ruiz among others.
Players Mentioned
