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As Maya Kelly stands at the edge of the 10-meter platform at the University of Minnesota’s Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, she dries herself off to reduce any chance of slipping. It’s a long way down.

She turns her back to the pool, takes a breath and launches off the platform. She twists and pierces the water feet-first.

At only 18, Kelly’s execution is already elite. It’s the precision that helped her reach a milestone on the world stage.

In late July, Kelly won bronze at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. One of the youngest athletes in the 20-meter diving event, she was only surpassed by 33-year-old Australian diver Rhiannan Iffland, who won gold, and Canadian Simone Leathead, 22, who silvered.

“I think trusting in my own head, in my own body and doing what I usually do back home was really important to me,” she said.

Kelly entered the last round in fifth place. Owen Weymouth, her former coach and USA Diving national events coordinator, watched from California as she attempted to secure a medal.

“I thought ‘wow,’ coming in on that top half of the field is an amazing achievement for her,” Weymouth said.

Kelly scored 7.5 out of 10 in five of seven dives in the final round. It was enough after other divers faltered.

“I did not think that I was going to get third place going into this competition,” Kelly said. “I couldn’t really believe at the beginning. It was just a cool experience to see my name in third place slot.”

Her beginnings in diving stemmed from gymnastics, common among divers. Kelly was a gymnast for 12 years, but the switch was “smooth,” she said.

Kelly competed at Stillwater for her first two years of high school before committing to high diving. Kelly currently practices at the Minnesota Diving Academy and competes for USA Diving.

Weymouth said Kelly’s preparation is what sets her apart. At a young age, she is aware of when to try new dives, when to hit the weight room and when to rest. She also “peaks” at the right time, usually before competitions, Weymouth added.

“She is a very good chess player in terms of the world of diving.”

In the fall, Kelly is set to dive for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul where another challenge awaits. Diving in the NCAA is different from her previous competitions. There is no high diving in college. Because platforms and springboards are lower, Kelly will have to change the way she enters the water.

“Hands first diving is not my specialty, but I really wanted to get better at it, and that’s why I want to do collegiate diving at the end of the day,” she said.

Kelly said she’ll continue to train for high diving at the University of Minnesota, while balancing coursework and practicing at St. Thomas.

The first time she stood on a diving platform, she remembered trembling before taking off. Sometimes the height still unnerves her. It takes time to master dive moves over such a distance. Kelly says she couldn’t have made it this far without her energized cheering section.

“My family has supported me in every single way that they can. They’re always there for me, always encouraging me, always the loudest ones cheering for me.”

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Juan Del Valle

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In late July, Kelly won bronze at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. She’s one of the youngest athletes in the 20-meter diving event.

‘It was definitely surreal’: A Minnesota high diver’s journey to medal at a world championship

A diver looks down at the towel in her hands. She's wearing a purple bathing suit.

Juan Del Valle | MPR News

A diver shows off her bronze medal while smiling and holding an orange plush doll.

‘It was definitely surreal’: A Minnesota high diver’s journey to medal at a world championship

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