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Elwood diver to represent U.S.
Written By: Jason Quick - Anderson Herald Bulletin
Elwood’s Mary Beth Dunnichay has already proven that she’s one of the top young divers in the United States. Now, she’ll get her chance to prove herself on a worldwide stage.
The 14-year-old phenom is one of 14 divers selected to the U.S. national team for the upcoming 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
While competing against the world’s elite may be a tall order for most people, Dunnichay said she just wants to soak it all in.
“It will be a great experience,†Dunnichay said. “I’m proud to be representing the United States, and hopefully we can come away with a medal.â€
Dunnichay will be competing in the 10-meter synchro alongside partner Haley Ishimatsu of Seal Beach, Calif. That same tandem competed in the 2006 FINA Grand Prix Super Final in Guadalajara, Mexico, this past November, where the swimmers finished fourth with a score of 238.08.
In the world championships, Dunnichay said she hopes they can top their personal record, which is 308.
“We’re going to try the best we can,†Dunnichay said. “Hopefully we’ll be at our best and get our highest score.â€
The competition will be stiff, as expected with the best the world has to offer. China’s team of Jia Tong and Chen Ruolin enter the meet as the favorites. They won the Super Grand Prix with a score of 331.14.
But Dunnichay said she is looking forward to competing against the world’s best, and knows it will be a challenge going in.
“I’ve seen some of the competition at the Super Grand Prix,†Dunnichay said. “But there will be more that I’ve never seen before. I know it’s going to be tough.â€
And with her every step of the way will be her parents. Dunnichay’s mom, Marian, said just getting the experience will do wonders for her daughter’s career, and she and her husband are glad to give her support.
“Each time they compete together, they get stronger,†Marian Dunnichay said. “The more you compete together, the less nervous you get each time, and the better you’ll get in the long run.
“We’re so proud that she’s made the national team, but that’s all behind her now. Whatever she does from here, we’ll be there to support her.â€
But the diving portion is just part of the experience, Marian Dunnichay said.
“It’s not just about the diving,†Marian Dunnichay said. “She’ll get to see a whole other part of the world. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And for her to get to do it at such a young age is unbelievable. It’s stuff you can’t learn in a book, and she’ll learn a lot aside from diving. I just hope she has a lot of fun.â€
And no matter what the result is, Mary Beth Dunnichay hopes the world championships can be a springboard to her ultimate goal: to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2008.
The FINA World Championships will take place March 18-April 1 in Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
Posted 3-11-07 |
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