FEDERAL WAY, WASH. ? Former Kansas University diver Michelle Rojohn just missed qualifying for the U.S. Olympics team late Wednesday night.
Rojohn, a native of Olathe who now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who was competing in her first Olympics trials, missed the second spot by 4.56 points. She finished third with 840.03 points.
Jenny Keim won the trials with 860.31 points. Michelle Davison was second with 844.59.
“I’m a little bit upset,” said Rojohn, who turned 27 Thursday. “I’m happy with the way I dove. A year ago I wasn’t diving with this consistency. I’m very happy with my performance. You can only take care of yourself. The other dove better.”
Meanwhile, Mark Ruiz earned a trip to the Olympics in improbable fashion, saving himself with a brilliant final dive. Ruiz, an overwhelming favorite at the U.S. Olympic trials, leaped from fourth to first in the 3-meter springboard with his last jump from the board Thursday, a reverse, 31/2 somersault with a half-twist at the end.
Ruiz, a 21-year-old from Orlando, Fla., received a perfect 10.0 from one of the judges, 9.5s and 9s from everyone else. Combined with a 3.5 difficulty degree his score of 98.70 was the best of the night.
