DIVING U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS : Lenzi, Nelson Lead Going Into Finals

Mark Lenzi says he has to prove himself every time out, so he wasn’t overly impressed with his big finish in the semifinals of the men’s 3-meter springboard Wednesday at the U.S. Diving Championships.

In the women’s platform semifinals, two-time NCAA champion Courtney Nelson led a group of 12 qualifiers into Sunday’s finals. Among the finalists is Eileen Richetelli, who won a gold medal in platform diving at the Pan American Games three days earlier.

Lenzi, defending champion, nailed a reverse 3 1/2 somersault tuck on his 11th and final dive to surge past Mark Bradshaw as the top qualifier for Saturday’s final. Kent Ferguson, who won the gold medal at the Pan Am Games, is among the 12 finalists.

“It’s a good indication of how well I’m doing,” Lenzi said after beating Bradshaw by 10.89 points. “I’m on track for the finals, but we’ll start all over again.”

At the Pan American Games, Lenzi overcame a heckling crowd on his last dive to win the 1-meter springboard.