March 24, 2008

REGINA, Saskatchewan - Michigan State junior diver Danielle Williams (Dorchester, Ontario) has been named as one of 14 competitors for the three-meter diving event at the Canadian Olympic Trials, which will take place June 20-22 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Williams, a Dorchester, Ontario native, scored 247.50 in one-meter diving over the course of her five dives at the Canada Senior Nationals, which is the qualifying event for the Olympic Trials. In international diving competitions, divers complete five dives. In NCAA events, there are six dives. Williams totaled 765.90 to finish ninth in three-meter competition, which consisted of 15 dives over the multi-day meet.

"Going to the Olympic Trials is a big step for me," Williams said. "It's really exciting and one of my goals that I set for myself in diving. It's always rewarding and satisfying to know that you have reached a personal goal."

Williams had previously finished 10th on the three-meter board at the event in 2006 and 11th in 2007, right after she had shoulder surgery. She surpassed her 2007 score by more than 25 points.

Williams, a redshirt junior who had shoulder surgery last year following a diving accident, placed sixth in three-meter diving at the Big Ten Women's Championships, and added a 13th place finish in one-meter diving.

Williams says she might have some new tricks up her sleeve that may help her make climb in the standings at the trials in June. "I am hoping to have a couple new dives ready," she said. "I need a little more consistency in those dives to have them ready for competition. But I think I can do it."

The 2008 Olympic Games will take place August 8-24 in Beijing, China.