The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hernandez clinches spot in 3m final at World Aquatics Championships
07.20.2023 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Hailey Hernandez advanced to her second 2023 World Aquatics Championships final after previously placing seventh on 1-meter.
FUKUOKA, Japan – Texas Women's diver Hailey Hernandez advanced to the 3-meter final at the World Aquatics Championships on Thursday at the Fukuoka Prefectural Pool.
Competing for the United States, Hernandez scored 291.75 points in the semifinal to secure the 12th and final spot for the final. China's Chen Yiwen (363.70) and Chang Yani (354.75) were the top-two scorers in the semifinal and Japan's Sayaka Mikami (340.55) was third. Hernandez will be joined by USA teammate Sarah Bacon (320.10) in the final. The 12 finalists secured quota spots for their countries to compete in the Paris Olympic Games next summer.
Heading into the fifth round of the semifinal, Hernandez was in 13th place, four points behind Mexico's Carolina Mendoza. Both performed a forward 2½ somersaults with one twist pike for their final dive. Mendoza dove first, scoring 57.00 points. Hernandez followed, scoring 63.00 points to equal her best dive of the semifinal and clinch the spot in the final.
In the preliminary round prior to the semifinal, Hernandez placed 16th with 277.45 points. Incoming Longhorn Caroline Kupka, diving for Norway, also competed in the 3m prelims.
Hernandez will dive in the 3-meter final on Friday, July, 21 at 4:00 a.m. CT. The final will be broadcast live on Peacock.
Players Mentioned
