INDIANAPOLIS – KPRC 2 reporters are covering the U.S. Olympic trials and the Rio Summer Olympics. Read below about their journey, adventures and covering the incredible athletes.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016 (Day 2) - By Jonathan Martinez
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The day started bright and early with a trip to CenturyLink Center to check out the swimmers as they practiced before the competition.
Shortly after, the heats were on and the swimmers hit the pool for the real deal.
Our hunt today: any and all local Houston area athletes.
The first one up was Cammile Adams, a Cy Woods graduate, who was swimming in the women's 200-meter fly. The race finished and she was first, but there was also a DQ scare. Fortunately, things were sorted out and the call was overturned. She's on to the semifinals tonight. I had a chance to speak with her dad and coach about the situation, and while nerves were pretty shaken for a brief moment, they say they're glad things were straightened out. There was definitely a sigh of relief from them and everyone rooting her on.
We also got a chance to talk with a graduate from The Woodlands who raced in the men's 200-meter breast. Jonathan Tybur didn't advance in his heat, but talked about appreciating the moment and simply being here.
Looking forward to tonight, there is plenty. Michael Phelps looks to get a spot to head to Rio in the 200-meter fly.
We'll also be watching with fingers crossed to see if Cammile will move on, along with Simone Manuel, who could get be heading to Rio with women's 200-meter free, which is also set for this evening.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016 (Day 1) - By Jonathan Martinez
So, we've officially gotten our feet wet. See what I did there? Day 1 coverage of the USA Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha is in the books for photographer Jeovany and I.
The day started pretty darn early with a flight out of Bush Intercontinental Airport followed by a few hours of flying to our home away from home for the week - Nebraska.
I've got to say pulling into the place, it was a cool feeling. Not just because of all the future Olympians that'll leave from here and go on to represent our country in Rio, but because the College World Series also happens to be in town. At times it was hard to tell who's who with all the different colors and families supporting their team or maybe their swimmer. Nonetheless, there's excitement in the air, and lots of it.
For some, it'll be a life-long dream fulfilled as they qualify to go to Rio in hopes of bringing home some hardware.
So about what we did today. Run! Like the wind, back and forth, back and forth.
We talked with Coach Tim Bauer who's with The Woodlands Swim Team and coaches Michael McBroom who is competing in the trials.
We're looking to catch up with Michael's parents in the coming days and other Houston-area athletes as well.
In fact, as I write this, I'm also multi-tasking and looking up contact information to plan for tomorrow.
That being said, we'll end tonight's blog with one last thing - we talked with Michael Phelps.
Seems like a cool enough guy. He briefly talked about having the opprtunity to sit in the booth the first few days and watch, but now he's excited to get back in the water like he did today, with several more races to come.
Our week of coverage from Omaha is just getting started, and you're invited to come along for our trip.
If you're here, come find us. Share your pictures. Do some interviews? If you know some local Houston athletes, put us in contact with them. Let them know where looking for them, but aren't able to come all the way out into the deep end.
On to Day 2 of Coverage. Here we come.
Sunday, June 26, 2016 (Day 4) - By Andy Cerota
UPDATE: Kassidy Cook finished in 1st place and was selected for the 2016 U.S. Women's Olympic Diving Team.
We are less than an hour away from the start of the women’s 3-meter diving finals. The IUPUI Natatorium is buzzing with activity and the mood here is upbeat. All eyes will be on The Woodlands' Kassidy Cook in what will no doubt be a defining moment in her diving career. She will attempt to fulfill her dream of becoming an Olympian. Her entire family has been rooting for her and they’ve been in her corner ever since she was a little girl. It truly has been such a pleasure and a privilege to be able to share her story with all of you back home in the Houston area. Cook and her family can feel the love and support from everyone back home and it is clear they are genuinely touched by the outpouring of support. She’s been working so hard this week, on her takeoffs, entries, getting a smaller splash and controlling her adrenaline. As far as her technique goes, she told me you don’t want to make any big changes at this point in the competition because there’s no time to adapt.
The stands inside the natatorium are beginning to fill up. Many of the spectators have brought signs with them, a way for them to cheer on their favorite diver. Cook is going into Sunday’s competition at the top of the leaderboard. Her score during the preliminaries was 338.30. At the semifinals it was 660.85, landing her at the top spot. Her closest competitor is Abby Johnston. Her score after the semifinals: 626.55.
Cook’s coach, Kenny Armstrong, said it best. This is all part of the journey. Sunday is just one more step on that road.
Saturday, June 25, 2016 (Day 3) - By Andy Cerota
Overwhelming joy mixed with heartbreak and disappointment. A flood of emotions all at once, running through the same place at the very same time. It pretty much sums up the mood inside the IUPUI Natatorium here in Indy where the men’s 3-meter diving finals were held Saturday afternoon. The journey on the road to Rio came to an end for a four-time Olympic diver with ties to Texas. I’m talking about 36-year-old Troy Dumais, a former University of Texas Longhorn. He was among a group of four divers with ties to Texas hoping to secure one of the two spots on the U.S. Olympic team in the men’s 3-meter event. He was fourth going into the finals and that is exactly where he finished. What I marveled at most, was his ability to show the crowd his human side right before his final dive. It must have registered that he wasn’t going to qualify because right before his final dive he broke down and cried. It was a defining moment for him on this journey. He looked to his right toward the stands and stared right at his mother who was sitting with the rest of the spectators. She, too, became emotional. Everyone in the natatorium felt connected in that one instant and the fans erupted into a standing ovation. It was truly amazing to witness this pivotal moment in his diving career. Like all these athletes, he worked incredibly hard. Dumais was still in tears when sat down in front of the microphones, caught right in the glare of publicity. You know what, he owned up to it. He told reporters, "Ever since I’ve been on the board I’ve been in tears. I can’t stop crying." Had he made it this go around, he would have been the first American in their sport to qualify for five Olympic Games.
Friday, June 24, 2016 (Day 2) - By Andy Cerota
There is no competition today but by no means are the athletes here in Indy taking the day off. We just arrived at the IUPUI Natatorium to watch the Houston area’s Kassidy Cook practice. I posted a video of yesterday diving practice on my KPRC2 Andy Cerota Facebook page. Please take the time to check out it. There are not as many athletes and spectators here today but Kassidy continues to give it her all. She is an extremely confident young woman who remains at the top of the leaderboard yet she admits, she is starting each day with a clean slate when it comes to training and preparing for Sunday’s finals. She takes nothing for granted. Once practice is over, I plan on spending some time with her coach, Kenny Armstrong, a three time Olympic diver. He’s truly one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and his passion for the sport is extraordinary. I look forward to hearing what you think about him. I will post the interview on my KPRC2 Andy Cerota Facebook page so make sure to leave your comments.
Every city has a its own pulse, its own heartbeat, its own rhythm and vibe. Today, I connected with Indy’s. There’s a lot happening in this town this weekend, in addition to the Olympic Diving Trials. There is an energy flowing through downtown that automatically brightens your mood and lifts your spirit. The United States Olympic Committee is hosting a big Road to Rio event in downtown, Indy. It’s about a block from our hotel. I’m naturally curious so I took a walk over there after breakfast and used it as an opportunity to do a Facebook Live to engage our friends and neighbors back in Houston. The people in Indy are so hospitable and friendly. They remind me a lot of Houstonians and Texans. While I was checking things out, I saw diver David Boudia, who just qualified last night for the Olympics. Way to go Team USA! He had a huge smile on his face as he greeted fans and signed autographs and of course, took selfies. He’s a big deal in this town.
Alright, time to get back to work and gather some elements for our afternoon and evening newscasts. If there’s anything you’d like me to ask Kassidy or Kenny, drop me an email.
Thursday, June 23, 2016 (Day 1) - By Andy Cerota
As journalists, we all have our firsts in our career. Covering our first crime scene, first school board meeting or city council meeting, first election. You get the point.
Even after more than two decades in the business, I'm still experiencing my firsts. That's what's so awesome about my job! This assignment, covering the Olympic diving trials in Indianapolis, is a first for me, along with the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
I've been on the ground in Indy for a few hours, gathering elements for our broadcast and digital content and in that time I've had the opportunity to gain some insight into the diving community. In part, thanks to Kassidy Cook, a graduate of The Woodlands High School. I met her and her coach, Kenny Armstrong, a three time Olympic diver, back in February.
Cook is poised to make it to the road to Rio. She is at the top spot after the semi-finals. I watched in awe as she and scores of other divers, both men and women, practiced inside the IUPUI Natatorium.
I'm pretty sure I had the best seat in the house. While watching them it became obvious, sure they're competing against one another but yet they are the best of friends. In fact, Cook admitted some of her competitors are her closest friends.
She's 21 years old and has known many of them half of her life. They don't root against each other. It's not about that. They want each other to dive well. Nobody wants to see anyone mess up.
As confident as these competitors appear to be, adrenaline and in some cases, anxiety, can get in the way of them achieving their goals. The athletes aren't afraid to talk about that. Armstrong's advice to Cook is nothing short of profound: shift the mind and allow yourself to embrace the cameras and the glare of publicity along with the enthusiasm from the crowds. Don't shut it out. Have fun with it.
His message had clearly gotten through to Cook because she was all smiles and seemed very relaxed when I sat down with her for our interview after practice Thursday afternoon.
I'm looking forward to learning more about Cook and the support network she relies on during fierce competitions, like the trials. Of course, I'm talking about her family. Her face lit up when she started talking about them. Cook is going to introduce me to her mom Friday and the rest of her family arrives here on Saturday so stay tuned!