By Rebecca Harris | @MsRebeccaHarris

RIO DE JANEIRO — Indiana University student Jessica Parratto fell short of her goal of standing on the podium in Rio, finishing in 10th in the women’s 10-meter diving final with a score of 334.60, but she has come a long way since she first started diving.

“I only had springboard growing up,” the New Hampshire native said. “I didn’t actually do 10-meter. My first dive off a 10-meter was when I was 14.”

Parratto said she “kind of stuck with it.” It worked in her favor. She’s a two-time national champion and won the 2015 NCAA championship. Then, just seven years after moving to Indiana due to diving facility limitations in her hometown, she competed in her first Olympic final.

Despite going home without a medal, Parratto and U.S. national (and IU) coach Drew Johansen were thrilled at the end of the competition. Her 76.80 earned her a smile and long hug as Thursday signified more than an Olympic final. It also marked Parratto’s first career international final. She previously ended 21st place in the FINA World Championship last year and 17th earlier in 2016 at the FINA World Cup.

“He said he was proud of me,” she said. “I never would have thought I’d be here in the finals.”

Continue reading IU’s Jessica Parratto finishes 10th in 10-meter diving