Info94 Copan
Alberto Soltys
USOC Press Officer: Dave Shatkowski
89-9165 (MPC); 75-9007 (Sub Center)
86-2340, Room 21C Luna Tower (Hotel)
Jeffrey Repeats 1991 Pan Am Platform Bronze
Mexico's Platas Wins Gold; First to Win Three Diving Medals
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- The USA's Patrick Jeffrey, 29, of
Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in fifth place after seven rounds
Saturday, came back to capture the bronze medal in men's platform
diving. It was the fifth medal in five events for U.S. divers.
For Jeffrey, it was a repeat of his bronze-medal performance at
the 1991 Pan American Games in Cuba.
The event was won going away by Mexico's Fernando Platas, who
also captured the gold in men's 3-meter springboard Sunday and
the silver in men's 1-meter springboard Wednesday. By virtue of
his performance in Mar del Plata, Platas has become a legitimate
medal contender for next year's Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Platas took the lead in the fifth round and never relinquished.
He went on to post a 71-point win over his teammate, Alberto
Acosta, 617.52-546.18. He finished in impressive style as his
last three dives all received scores in the eight- to nine-point
range. His acrobatic, graceful technique thrilled the capacity
crowd of more than 1,000 throughout the 10-round contest.
Jeffrey, a 1988 Olympian and four-time U.S. champion, was diving
well through six rounds before missing dives in rounds seven and
eight. He rebounded nicely, however, in the final two rounds
with mostly 7s and 8s on his inward three and a half somersaults
tuck and back one and a half somersaults with three and a half
twists, to finish with 543.93 points. His score was 13 points
better than fourth-place finisher Jesus Aballi of Cuba.
Jeffrey's teammate, Bryan Gillooly, 18, of Kissimmee, Fla., was
also diving well early in the contest. He led through four
rounds, and hovered between second and third during the next
three. Poor scores on his back and reverse three and a half
somersaults tuck in the eighth and ninth rounds, however, led to
his demise as he finished in the sixth position. It was the
first major international event for the University of Miami
freshman.
Aballi, fifth-place finisher Claude Villeneuve of Canada,
seventh-place finisher Christopher Kalec, 14, also of Canada, and
eighth-place finisher Tony Iglesias of Bolivia, also showed
flashes of brillance during the contest. Brazil's Flavio
Silveira's day, however, ended on a sour note. Silveira landed
on his back attempting a full twisting front two and a half in
the fifth round and was forced to withdraw two rounds later.
Diving competition at the XIIth Pan American Games will conclude
Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the women's platform final. The
U.S. will be represented by current national champion Becky
Ruehl, 17, of Lakeside Park, Ky., and Angie Trostel, 18, of
Oxford, Ohio. Top challengers figure to be Canada's Ann Montminy
and Mexico's Maria Jose Alcala, a pair of 1992 Olympians.
-30-
Notes
Patrick Jeffrey became the second U.S. diver to repeat his 1991
Pan Am performance. Mark Bradshaw won the silver medal in
3-meter springboard last Sunday, just as he did in 1991 at
Havanna.
Bryan Gillooly spent only four full days in Mar del Plata. After
competing in the NCAA zone qualifying meet last weekend, he
arrived on Monday. Saturday, he departed immediately following
the contest to catch a flight back to Miami. He will join his
college diving team on their trip to Indianapolis tomorrow for
the NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships that begin
Thursday.
Patrick Jeffrey attended photography school in Fort Lauderdale
and currently works as a freelance photgrapher in South Florida.
He has already compiled an impressive portfolio that he uses to
promote his work.
Fernando Platas became the first-ever Pan American diver to win
three medals in a single Games. He also became just the fifth
diver to win two gold medals in the same Games. Greg Louganis
accomplished the feat three times in 1979, 1983 and 1987. Other
double gold medalists were Paula Pope of the USA (1959), Pat
McCormick of the USA (1955) and Joaquin Capilla of Mexico (1951,
'55).
Mexico has now won five of the 12 gold medals awarded in Pan Am
men's platform competition. Other Mexican champions were Capilla
(1951, '55), Alvaro Gaxiola (1959) and Carlos Giron (1975).
Cuba's Rioger Ramirez won in 1991, while the other six have been
won by U.S. divers.
Before Platas, Mexico had had six Pan Am diving gold medalists
and five silver medalists. However, combined with Alberto
Acosta's silver medal, they had never before swept the top two
places in a single event.
In men's platform action, Mexico has won at least one medal in 10
out of the 12 Pan American Games.
Quotes
Patrick Jeffrey (USA, bronze medal)
On his performance: "I was disappointed, but I was glad I had the
opportunity to come back. I am proud I was able to win a medal
for my country."
On his platform future: "I've been diving well...I'm healthy. As
long as my elbow is strong, I'm going to keep diving up there."
On the 1996 Olympic platform competition: "I really believe it's
going to be everybody until the last dive. I'll tell you right
now, it's going to be close. It's going to be a real good,
quality contest."
About his new kick-out technique: "I think I did the techniques
right. The starts were good, but I need to work more on the
finishes. I just need more time with them."
About synchro diving: "We are really excited about the fact that
we can be a team. That's the one thing I haven't
experienced...working with someone toward a common goal. I think
it will be a growthful experience."
Ron O'Brien (USA coach)
On the U.S. performance: "Considering that we won five of the six
events at the last Pan Am Games, we're not doing very well.
Fernando Platas has put himself in Olympic medal contention. But
it all comes down to hitting your dives. I don't ever remember a
time when so many of our athletes were injured or sick. Many
factors have limited our performance."
Bryan Gillooly (USA, sixth place)
On his performance: "It's not what I wanted, but that happens. I
just didn't dive well."
On the Pan Am Games: "For me, it wasn't that great of an
experience. I was too rushed. I just didn't feel like I was a
part of the team the whole time."
Men's Platform Results
1, Fernando Platas, MEX, 617.52. 2, Alberto Acosta, MEX, 546.18.
3, Patrick Jeffrey, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 543.93. 4, Jesus
Aballi, CUB, 531.99. 5, Claude Villeneuve, CAN, 517.17. 6, Bryan
Gillooly, Kissimmee, Fla., 504.06. 7, Christopher Kalec, CAN,
469.05. 8, Tony Iglesias, BRA, 404.22. 9, Thiago Do Canto, BRA,
404.22. 10, Flavio Silveira, BRA, withdrew.
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