Michael Wright competes in the 1-meter springboard finals during the USA Diving Winter National Championships Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — 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. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
