Wilkinson, Ishimatsu out front

INDIANAPOLIS – The veteran and the youngster were 1-2 after the women’s 10-meter preliminaries at the U.S. Olympic diving trials Wednesday night.

Laura Wilkinson, the 2000 Olympic platform champion seeking a third Olympic berth at age 30, totaled 362.00 points after the five-dive opening round.

Haley Ishimatsu, a 15-year-old from Seal Beach, Calif., had 360.70 points.

“She gets better every single year,” Ishimatsu said. “I just have to keep chasing her and see if I can pass her up.”

In the men’s platform prelims, David Boudia led all the way and totaled 572.65 points. His friend and synchronized partner, Thomas Finchum, was second at 523.95.

“It’s a good cushion,” Boudia said. “I feel Thomas beat me and I know he did. But it’s awesome to have a cushion.”

Finchum, an 18-year-old diving in his hometown pool, actually outscored Boudia based on the six-round competition. Boudia started the event with a 65-point advantage because of his third-place finish at a World Cup event in Beijing this year.

Finchum finished second on platform at trials as a 14-year-old in 2004 but didn’t make the Olympic team. He clearly showed he belongs this time, receiving three marks of 10.0 on two different dives.

In the women’s event, Jessica Livingston, who trains with Wilkinson in The Woodlands, Texas, was third with 358.40. She is Drew’s older sister.

Brittany Viola rose from last after the opening round to fourth at 328.45. The daughter of former major league pitcher Frank Viola earned two 9.0s for her final dive.

All of the women and men advanced to the semifinal rounds and their scores will carry over at the Indiana University Natatorium.

Only the winner of each final is guaranteed an Olympic berth. The second spots will be decided July 7 after a selection camp in Knoxville, Tenn.