Olympian Loukas adds another diving title

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When Olympian Christina Loukas heads to the Beijing Games, she’ll have another national title to bring along. Loukas successfully defended her 1-meter U.S. title Thursday night at the Kaiser Permanente National Diving Championships at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

Loukas scored 264.80 points, enough to edge out her synchronized diving partner, Amanda Miller, who took second with 259.65. Loukas had won the same event last year during the nationals. Kassidy Cook, 13, was in third place with 244.30.

The three divers will compete Saturday in the 3-meter women’s finals. Loukas will compete in the 3-meter in Beijing.

Kristian Ipsen scored 436.45 during Thursday night’s men’s 3-meter competition and will advance to Sunday’s finals. Terry Horner, who on Wednesday won the men’s 1-meter title, finished second with 396.00. Matt Cooper was third with 395.25.

The top 12 divers in the semifinals moved on to the finals. Olympic team members automatically advance to the finals. Troy Dumais is expected to compete, although Chris Colwill likely will dive only in Sunday’s men’s 3-meter synchro finals with teammate Jevon Tarantino.

Today’s competition begins at noon, with men’s and women’s 10-meter quarterfinals and semifinals.

-- Greg Johnson