LONDON — No sweet music for Brittany Viola. The daughter of former major league baseball pitcher Frank Viola missed out on the 10-meter platform diving final at the London Olympics.
Viola finished 15th in the semifinals Thursday with 300.50 points. Her teammate, Katie Bell, failed to advance in 16th with 296.80.
Chen Ruolin of China was the top qualifier among 12 divers going into the evening final at 407.25.
Nicknamed “Sweet Music,” Frank Viola helped the Minnesota Twins win their first World Series title in 1987, pitching them to a 4-2 victory in Game 7. He was named Series MVP, and the next season won the AL Cy Young Award. He was later traded to the Mets, and pitched for Boston, Cincinnati and Toronto before retiring in 1996.
Viola opened the five-dive round by scoring 67.50 points on her front 3 1/2 somersaults pike, but had misses in later rounds.
“My mind felt right, my body felt right. It just didn’t come together,” she said. “Still, to be here was just incredible. I’m going to celebrate this journey. I never thought I’d be here.”
Viola was cheered on by about 20 family and friends, including her father Frank, the 1987 World Series most valuable player with the Minnesota Twins.
Bell started strong with a front 3 1/2 somersaults pick that earned 73.50 points and put her in second place, but errors in the later rounds dropped her out of the top 12.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m so happy to have had this experience,” she said. “Yes, I wanted to get in the finals and go for a medal, but I’ve made it this far and got to dive in the Olympic Games. I’ve had so much fun here.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
