Diving: Parratto, Schnell take synchro bronze
Jul. 16—Olympic silver medalists Jessica Parratto of Dover and Delaney Schnell came from behind to take the bronze medal in women's synchronized 10-meter diving Sunday at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
With the 10-meter synchro bronze, the United States also earned a quota spot for the event at next year's Olympic Games in Paris. The World Championships are the first opportunity for countries to qualify for the Games.
Parratto and Schnell scored 294.42 points for the bronze medal, with China's Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan dominating at 369.84 points for gold. Great Britain's Andrea Spendolini Sirieix and Lois Toulson picked up silver with 311.76 points.
"I'm very, very happy. Getting a medal is the goal we set out to do, and honestly to get an Olympic spot means the world to us, so we are just really excited right now," Parratto said.
The Americans had to climb their way back after a slow start. They found themselves in 10th place after scoring just 38.40 points on their back dive pike in round two, but they came through with three strong optional dives.
"This is definitely some of the best diving I have done all year, so I am definitely very thrilled about that. And just to fight back from our second dive was really special. Just to know that we're able to do that, and as soon as that happened, I knew I was going to fight and that she was going to fight," Parratto said.
