Freeman Advances to World Championships

May 15, 2013

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former University of Iowa diver Deidre Freeman advanced to the World Championships courtesy of her runner-up finish in the 1-meter springboard at the USA Diving World Championship Trials on Wednesday at the Morcom Aquatics Center.

“I am really proud of Deidre,” said UI diving coach Todd Waikel. “She has been working hard for this all year. We came here for one reason and one reason only, and that was to qualify, and she did it. She stuck with it, persevered and performed well.”

Freeman finished with a total of 532.90 points to finish as the runner-up in the competition. The Grinnell, Iowa, native led after the first round of dives, finishing with 274.75 points before being overtaken on the final dive of the second list by Samantha Pickens. Pickens won the event with a 537.00 total.

Freeman advances to compete at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, on July 19 through August 4, as well as the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia, on July 6-17.

Freeman will continue action at the World Championship Trials on Friday, competing in the 3-meter springboard. She will also dive alongside Kaylea Arnett in the 3-meter synchronized event.