GBI Magazine

s w i m m i n g a n d d i v i n g Unexpected Champ Matthews overcomes, adapts on her way to NCAA title BY BRANDAN ALFORD BrandanAlford@Gmail.com T here was a time when Casey Matthews was unsure whether she would ever dive competitively again. In the span of less than two years, Matthews had torn her rotator cuff twice and faced the prospect of grueling rehabilitation each time. Less than a year after her most recent injury, Matthews sits atop her sport, winning the national championship in the 3-meter dive. "It had been two years since I was able to represent Purdue," Matthews said, "so I wanted to go out and dive my best. My goal had been just to make the NCAA Championships, and once I Tom Campbell did that, I just wanted to enjoy that mo- Casey Matthews is all smiles after becoming Purdue's most recent national ment." champion. But it was a difficult trek to a title after twice tearing her rotator cuff. The championship in March came down to the final dive of the competition, with Matthews board, I knew all of my hard work had paid off." That title was the crowning achievement in what Mattrailing Arizona State's Hailey Casper entering the final thews described as a frustrating process to return to round. Matthews stepped to the board with the last dive and executed an inward two-and-a-half somersault to near All-America form following two major injuries in back-toperfection. When the score flashed on the scoreboard, Mat- back seasons. Matthews was one of Purdue's most promising young thews had edged Casper 386.55 to 377.70. divers during her first two years in the program. She burst Following preliminary rounds, Matthews finished first among the field of 39 divers with a score of 374.15, allowing onto the scene during her freshman campaign in 2008-09 her to dive last in the finals. It took big scores in her third with an honorable mention All-America performance in the and fourth dives to secure the come-from-behind victory. 1-meter before repeating that feat and adding All-America However, Matthews was unaware of the scoring situation accolades in the 3-meter as a sophomore. But her first shoulder injury forced her to redshirt during until after her final dive. "I had no idea going into that last dive where I was in the 2010-11 season, and she was inactive for Purdue again the standings," Matthews said. "I have never followed re- in 2011-12. With the Olympics in London that upcoming sults (in real time while competing). It can mess with the summer, Matthews took an NCAA waiver to prepare for the mental side. I just take things one dive at a time and focus Olympic Trials in June to make a run at qualifying for the Games. on what I can control. Matthews returned to competition in December of 2011, "When that score flashed on the board, I couldn't have finishing 24th in the 10-meter platform at the USA Diving been more shocked. When I saw my name at the top of that Winter Nationals. It was a promising return, but in April, Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 5com

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