Half Of U.S. Olympic Diving Team Has Indiana Connection

INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Olympic Diving team competing in the Rio Olympics next month will likely have a very strong following glued to the televisions in Indiana. 

Five of the 10 members of the team, and the top two coaches, all have ties to the state.

Indiana University's Drew Johansen was selected earlier this week to serve as the head coach of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Diving Team, and Purdue University’s Adam Soldati will serve as the assistant coach.

Johansen, who also was head coach of the 2012 Olympic Team, coaches three of the 10 divers on the 2016 squad. Amy Cozad of Indianapolis; Michael Hixon of Amherst, Mass.; and Jessica Parratto of Dover, N.H. all train with Johansen at IU.

Soldati will serve as assistant coach after two of his athletes made the team in two events apiece. David Boudia of Noblesville and Steele Johnson of Carmel both train at Purdue.

Coaches of the other five divers will also travel to the Games as additional members of the coaching staff.