Local diver shoots to the top in Olympic trials

INDIANAPOLIS – With three days to go until the women’s 3-meter finals, Kassidy Cook, the Houston area’s hometown favorite, remains determined and focused on fine tuning her technique.

“I started to work on my takeoffs and my entries, working on getting a smaller splash, riding the board, and hopefully my toes won't hang off on my reverse again,” Cook said.

Cook, a graduate of The Woodlands High School, sat down with KPRC's Andy Cerota for a one-on-one interview after Thursday afternoon’s practice at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Natatorium and told him that controlling her adrenaline has been her biggest challenge.

The 21-year-old shot to the top of the leaderboard, finishing first in the preliminaries, and held onto that top spot through the semifinals.

“Anything could happen. I am going to go in there like the slates are clean and I'm starting from zero and I have to regain the lead,” Cook said.

Kenny Armstrong, her coach and a three-time Olympic diver, has encouraged Kassidy to embrace the glare of publicity and to enjoy the crowds and have fun with it all. The two have remarkable coach-athlete chemistry.

”He brings out the best diver in me. I really think I have rekindled his love for diving,” Cook said.

Curious how the athletes at the Olympic diving trials are preparing for the finals? Check out this video. I was in awe as I watched from the best seat in the house ! @kprc2 @NBCOlympics #road2rio #teamusa #kprc2 󾭞

Posted by KPRC2 Andy Cerota on Thursday, June 23, 2016

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