Senior wins Speedo American Cup title

In the history of IU diving, nine Olympians have competed and teams have won six NCAA titles. This past weekend, that winning tradition continued at the Speedo American Cup.\nThe Cup, which concluded at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center on Sunday, is an illustrious meet where divers are invited to participate based on performances at previous competitions.\nSetting the tone in performance and leadership for the Hoosiers was standout senior Sara Hildebrand. \nAn NCAA All-American, Hildebrand competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The Minnesota native wrapped up her junior season by winning the Big Ten Championship on both the one-meter and three-meter events, and subsequently was named IU's co-Female Athlete-of-the-Year.\n"Sara had a great year last year," coach Jeff Huber said in a press release. "The challenge this year is to start off at the same level and focus that she ended last season with."\nHildebrand's performance at the Speedo Cup demonstrated the focus Huber was looking for. With six finalists within 11 points of the lead on the 10-meter, Hildebrand scored the highest scoring dive of the event on her final try to win the event. In scoring a 78.54, Hildebrand outlasted tough competition, including 2000 Canadian Olympian Blythe Hartley.\n"We thought we heard the announcer say that we were all within 11 points, but we weren't sure we had heard him correctly," Hildebrand said. "That's good though. Everybody was right there going into the final round and it was a good contest."\nAlso contributing to the success of the Hoosiers was the performance of IU junior Cassandra Cardinell. Cardinell, who also has earned All-American honors, finished fifth with a list of dives that Huber said are a high degree of difficulty.\nCardinell and Hildebrand also combined their efforts in the 10-meter platform synchronized event. The two nationally recognized divers won the event with a score of 259.59.\n"I told everyone she was either going to miss the final dive or nail it," said Hildebrand of her partner's final attempt. "She nailed it. She has gotten so much better and has snuck up on me faster than I expected. The competition is great for both of us."\nCoach Huber said the competition was an integral part of their success.\n"Sara and Cassie are fortunate that synchro has become such an important event on the international level," he said in a statement. "They have the same body type and are really able to push one another."\nAlso making a strong showing at their home facility were men's team divers junior Marc Carlton, freshman Brian Mariano and senior Adam Hazes. Carlton, an All-American, teamed with Mariano to finish second on the 10-meter platform, while Hazes and teammate Beau Sydes finished third.\nThe Hoosier swimming and diving teams face their next action this weekend in West Lafayette against rival Purdue.