OLYMPIC REPORT 30 DAYS TO THE GAMES : Veteran Group Led By Ferguson, Lenzi

Kent Ferguson, an Olympian in 1992 but a non-qualifier in ’88 and ‘84, is one of five former Olympians participating in men’s springboard at the U.S. trials today in Indianapolis.

A total of 42 divers are competing for eight Olympic berths, including Ferguson, 33, and 1992 gold medalist Mark Lenzi.

In 1984, Ferguson’s hopes were pinned on making the U.S. team. Same thing in ’88. He didn’t make it either time.

In ‘92, he worried about what he’d do if he failed again. Ferguson didn’t fail, though. He made the team and finished fifth on the three-meter board in Barcelona.

This time, the 33-year-old isn’t concerned about what happens if he doesn’t earn a trip to Atlanta.

“It’s not the end-all it was in ‘92,” Ferguson said. “Gosh, in ’92 had I not made the team I don’t know what the heck I would have done. I’d certainly be disappointed but I’d get over it rapidly and get on with my life because I’ve got some exciting stuff coming up.”

David Pichler, a six-time national champion, is the favorite in the men’s platform. Among his challengers is Brian Earley, whose father Rick was a 1972 Olympic diver.

Lenzi, 27, returned from a 20-month retirement in April 1995 to train for the Atlanta Games. Some of his strongest results have come in the last six months, including a record score of 762.35 in winning the three-meter title at the HTH Classic in March and his first national title since 1993 in April.

Scott Donie, the ’92 Olympic silver medalist in platform, is concentrating solely on the three-meter board this time.

At 34, Mark Bradshaw is the oldest competitor in men’s springboard. The ’88 Olympian barely missed making the 1992 team when he finished third at the trials. Patrick Jeffrey is trying to make his first Olympic springboard team since 1988.

Age isn’t as much of an issue among the women since only Mary Ellen Clark (33) and Veronica Ribot-Canales (34) are over 30.

Clark, a surprise platform bronze medalist at the ’92 Olympics, is one of four women competing in both springboard and platform in the final Olympic trials of her career.

Like Ferguson, Clark isn’t afraid of failing this week.

“I’ve fulfilled all goals even beyond my imagination and had a blast. So what more can you ask for?” she said.

She answered her own question: “This week, I’m asking for a little bit more.”

The recurring vertigo that knocked Clark out of the sport for nine months in 1995 is under control.

“In my opinion, it’s in the past,” she said. “Everybody likes to bring it up because it creates a lot of drama, but I’ve been fine since September.”

For the last two years, Ferguson has been working in the lighting department and done some management training at a hardware store in Miami Lakes, Fla., while continuing his diving career.

Later this summer, he plans to transfer to a store in Dallas so he can pursue an MBA at Southern Methodist.

“I feel more comfortable about my life after the Olympic trials . . . than I ever have,” Ferguson said. “That’s one difference that I feel here that I have never felt at an Olympic trials before.”

Ferguson likes the fact that he’s not the only elder statesman.

“It’s nice to have some of the older folks here, so we can hang out while the kids are playing,” he said. “Although when we’re training with them we feel as young as they are. I forget that I’m not 23.”