American diver Delaney Schnell is aiming to become a double medalist on the 10-meter platform, having already captured silver in the synchro competition.
Getty Diver Delaney Schnell checks her scores during the US Olympic Trials. On Wednesday evening, American diver Delaney Schnell could inch closer to capturing her second medal of the Tokyo Olympics. Along with fellow Team USA diver Katrina Young, the 22-year-old Schnell will compete in the women’s individual 10-meter platform semifinal. With a strong showing there, she’ll book a spot in the final with a chance to join Krysta Palmer — who just won bronze in the three-meter springboard event — as the only American women to capture individual diving medals since Laura Wilkinson the Sydney Games in 2000. As it stands, she looks to be in a strong position to do so. Her combined score of 360.75 ranked No.3 overall during the preliminary round. Moreover, she finished just four points behind China’s Quan Hongchan at No.2. Chen Yuxi, also of China, posted the top score of the round. With Schnell’s double-up opportunity looming, here are five facts you need to know about the Iron Mountain, Michigan product. A post shared by Delaney Schnell (@laney_schnell) Schnell’s gymnastics background is not entirely unique; others have made the move from that sport to diving — including Palmer. Unlike most, however, she was good enough to train with the coaches who put US Gymnastics on the map. As relayed by the Pac-12’s Aimee Berg, Schnell was so talented in the floor exercise and on the vault as a youngster that she was invited to attend a training camp at the Karolyi Ranch in Texas. Of course, Bela and Marta Karolyi were longtime coaches for the US national team who trained multiple Olympic champions. During her time there, she was able to see 2008 Olympic gold and silver medalist Shawn Johnson choreographing her floor routines. In the end, though, the experience made her reconsider the gymnastics path.
