Deborah Wilson

Deborah Wilson
Personal information
Birth nameDeborah Keplar
Born (1955-11-05) November 5, 1955 (age 69)
Columbus, Ohio
Height165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight115 lb (52 kg)
Medal record
Women's diving
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Montreal 10 m platform

Deborah Wilson (née Keplar born 5 November 1955) is an American diver. Wilson originally competed in springboard diving before moving on to platform diving. As a platform diver, she was first at the 1973 Amateur Athletic Union national diving championships. She participated in the 1973 World Aquatics Championships and 1975 World Aquatics Championships but did not medal in either championship. In international competitions, Wilson won a bronze medal in the women's 10 metre platform event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Early life and education

Wilson was born on 5 November 1955 in Columbus, Ohio.[1] When she was twelve, Wilson was both a swimmer and diver before she decided to focus on diving. For her post-secondary education, Wilson went to Ohio State.[2]

Career

Wilson's first major competition was at the Amateur Athletic Union Outdoor Diving Championships in July 1972. At the championships, she finished in tenth place in the women's 3m springboard event.[3] A few months later, she was eleventh at the 1972 United States Olympic Trials in 3m springboard.[4] Wilson moved to platform diving in June 1973 when coach Ron O'Brien recommended the sport to her. Her first win in platform was at the women's 10 metre platform event during the 1973 Amateur Athletic Union national diving championships.[5] At a following AAU indoor diving championship, Wilson placed in third during the 1975 competition.[6]

In world competitions, Wilson was seventh at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships.[7] At the following championships, Wilson did not qualify for the finals at the 1975 World Aquatics Championships.[8] In 1976, Wilson considered retiring from swimming but was convinced by her husband to keep competing.[9] Later that year, Wilson won the bronze medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in 10m platform.[10]

Personal life

Wilson is married with two children.[11]

References

  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Debbie Wilson". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Ohio Girl Nabs First In Diving". News Journal (Mansfield, Ohio). 24 August 1973. p. 25.
  3. ^ "Barb Schaefer Finishes In 9th Spot". The Tribune (Coshocton, Ohio). 17 July 1972. p. 6.
  4. ^ "Cindy Potter tops diving qualifiers". Courier-Journal. 29 July 1972. p. B7.
  5. ^ Sullivan, Mike (24 August 1973). "Stay-at-homes, neophyte grab spotlight". The Courier-Journal. p. B4.
  6. ^ "Ohio State Diver Tops". Leaf-Chronicle. 6 April 1975. p. 8B.
  7. ^ "1st FINA World Championships 1973 - Women 10m Platform". FINA. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  8. ^ "2nd FINA World Championships 1975 - Women 10m Platform". FINA. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  9. ^ Zainea, Leo (23 February 1976). "Wives shopping for Olympic gold". Chicago Tribune. sec. 4 p. 2.
  10. ^ "Deborah Wilson". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  11. ^ Hess Jr., Chcuk (31 July 1976). "'Was like human ant hill' — Debbie Wilson". Massillon Evening Independent. p. 13.