FLEMING ISLAND – In a bit of divine intervention, Fleming Island High senior diver Ava Brinkman, who had finished second in the Class 3A championships in last year’s state championships, reversed her Kharma with a win by just .50 points at the 2024 AAU National Championships for 10-meter platform diving. The 2024 AAU National Championships was staged at the International Swimming Hall of Fame facility in Fort Lauderdale, July 15-22.

“We had eight dives in the competition,” said Brinkman, the 2022 state diving champion, but second last season; 483.60-482.65, by less than a point. “I pretty much did the same dives as I always do, but, I think I’m getting better and better and executing them.”

Brinkman, who also competed in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard dives, continues her dominance in platform diving with her win at the AAU Nationals by a 332.25-331.75 score Samantha Keith, 17, of the Alpha Dive Club of Seattle, with a 328.50 for third out of 93 divers.

“I prefer the platform for a couple of reasons, one, for a springboard, you have to catch the springboard on the approach correctly and that’s very tricky sometimes,” said Brinkman, noting high school diving does not include platform diving. “Platform is a little more thrilling mainly because you are up 33 feet off the water.”

In her freshman season, Brinkman set a record in her district diving meet but suffered a season-ending injury before regions.

In the 1-meter springboards, Brinkman finished second; 392.55-365.85, with a third in the 3-meter springboard; 392.45 for the winner; Brinkman at 387.60 out of 80 divers.

In her platform competition, Brinkman improved with each of her dives with her final dive; in need of a six or better to secure the win, coming with a certain amount of drama.

Brinkman had scores of 40.80 (2.4 difficulty, arm stand two forward somersaults), 43.40 (2.8 difficulty, inward 2.5 somersaults), 51.00 (3.0 difficulty, Forward 3.5 somersaults) and 48.10 (2.6 difficulty, back 2.5 somersaults, 1/2 twist).

“Because there were so many divers, they split the meet into three separate heats,” said Brinkman. “I was in the last heat which gave me a little bit of an advantage because I knew what I had to do to take the lead.”

In her math, Brinkman figured she would need a 331.75 or better to win.

“My mom and dad were doing the math and I was kind of keeping track as I could,” said Brinkman. “My motivation is always to just dive my best. My last dive I knew I could score off of and I got good scores on it; like all sixes or better.”

Brinkman, who has committed to the University of Florida, will head to the USA Diving Junior National Championships in West Virginia from July 29-August 7 before starting her high school career.

“I really want to get that state title only because circumstances have kept me from winning that one,” said Brinkman. (Brinkman missed the title by half a point.) “Hadley Futch, (senior, Winter Springs High), who beat me in the state championships, was in Fort Lauderdale, but we are a good friendly rivalry.”

Note: Brinkman finished 18th in 1-meter diving at the 2024 USA Diving Junior Nationals on August 4. Brinkman will continue diving; on a 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform through August 7. Brinkman was 34th at the 2023 USA Diving Junior Nationals in the 1-Meter springboard.