Livingston, Bell earn top platform scores
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Drew Livingston and Katie Bell earned the top scores in the men's and women's platform semifinals at the national diving championships on Friday.
Livingston scored 503.85 points, highlighted by a 100.30-point effort on his reverse 3½ that earned 10s from three judges, to lead the men. Thomas Finchum was second with 458.40 points, 89.10 of which came after 9s on his back 3½ tuck. Wes Wieser scored 453.80 points for third. The top 12 divers advance to Sunday's finals.
Bell had 305.10 points in the women's platform semifinals to lead the field of 12 advancing to Saturday's finals. Cosima Lenz qualified second at 299.15, followed by 2009 spring national champion Michelle Cabassol at 297.15.
The championships continue through Sunday.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
