Windsor: Rylan Wiens claims his first senior national title with perfect final dive
Rylan Wiens of Saskatoon electrified the Windsor crowd scoring five 10s from the seven judges to claim his very first senior national title on 10m tower.
After leading the competition through the first four rounds, Wiens faltered on his fifth dive, which elevated the pressure going into the sixth and final round.
“Standing up there I knew I had to do a really good dive to have a shot at winning,” said Wiens.
Wiens certainly delivered, posting a perfect score on his reverse three and a half tuck, totaling 102 points.
“I tried to not focus on the competition and just on the dive, and do what I have been doing all week in training.”
It was a thrilling result for the 17-year old, and his coach, Mary Carroll who train out Saskatoon’s Shaw Centre.
Vincent Riendeau (Pointe Claire Diving Club) had a near flawless day challenging Wiens and ultimately claimed silver (473.85). Laurent Gosselin-Paradis (CAMO) bested the rest of the field to win bronze (422.65).
In the women’s 1m event, Mia Vallée from CAMO improved on her silver medal from yesterday’s 3m, to claim gold today (257.10).
“I was really happy and really surprised to win,” said Vallée.
“I didn’t think I dove that well, but when I came out of the water my coach was like ‘Hey, you are a national champion’.”
Moving from the prelims, where she placed second, to the finals, the 18-year old from Kirkland (QC) was able to renew her mindset and elevate her diving.
“I was really consistent from prelims to finals, but I think I was a lot stronger on my entries and just tighter in general during the final and that is what made the difference,” added Vallée.
Éloïse Bélanger of CAMO won silver with a score of 254.15 and Alyssa Clairmont of Regina made a bit of history, claiming the club’s first-ever senior national medal with her bronze medal here in Windsor (252.80).
Competition continues through to Sunday at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.
Full results: http://www.issmembership.com/diving/live/schedule.aspx