INDIANAPOLIS – Abby Johnston, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist in women's synchronized 3-meter diving, will return to the Olympic stage this summer in Rio following an outstanding performance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The 2013 Duke graduate and current Duke medical student finished second in the individual 3-meter springboard final Sunday to punch her ticket to Rio.
Heading into trials, the U.S. had qualified just one women's 3-meter spot for Rio. Kassidy Cook led the field through last Tuesday's preliminaries and semifinals, with Johnston sitting just over 34 points back and Laura Ryan only 14.95 points behind her in third. However, the U.S. received notification Friday it had been awarded a second spot by FINA, meaning two women's 3-meter divers would be named to the U.S. Olympic Team.
Johnston opened Sunday's final in strong fashion, earning 69.00 points from the judges on a back 2 ½ somersault. She remained in second over the next two rounds despite dipping below the 60-point mark, but bounced back to top 70 points on each of her final two dives. The Upper Arlington, Ohio native was awarded 72.00 points on an inward 2 ½ somersault in round four, and closed her list with 70.50 points on a forward 2 ½ somersault with one twist.
With a cumulative score of 949.30 over three rounds of diving, Johnson finished second behind only Cook to secure her second trip to the Olympic Games.
Four years ago in London, Johnston made history as she and fellow American Kelci Bryant claimed the United States' first Olympic medal ever in a synchronized diving event. The duo also ended a 12-year medal drought for the Americans in all diving events.
Johnston is one of three Olympic medalists in Duke swimming and diving history. Blue Devil teammate Nick McCrory joined Johnston in medaling at the 2012 London Games, winning bronze in the men's synchronized platform competition. Former Blue Devil swimmer Nancy Hogshead – a member of the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 1994 – won three golds and a silver at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Diving events at the 2016 Olympic Games begin Sunday, Aug. 7 in Rio.
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