KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — USA Diving officials say Michael Wright’s national championship win in the men’s 1-meter springboard competition makes him the first African-American national champion in USA Diving’s history.
Wright, a 22-year-old senior at Tennessee, won the title Monday at the USA Diving Winter National Championships. He was third after the preliminary round but outpointed David Bonuchi 390-360 on the judges’ scorecards in the final. Weston Wieser finished third.
After competing for the Volunteers as a junior last spring, Wright is redshirting the 2009-10 season. He transferred to UT from Indian River Community College in 2008.
Wright is the first black member of Tennessee’s swimming and diving team.