University of Minnesota Athletics
Olympic Diver Set to Transfer to Minnesota
6/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Kelci Bryant, a 2008 United States Olympic diver, has transferred to the University of Minnesota and will begin her Golden Gopher career in the 2009-10 season. Bryant, who competed one year at the University of Miami, will have three years of eligibility for the Gophers. She will be coached by newly appointed Gopher coach Wenbo Chen, who begins his Gopher tenure in August.
Bryant, hailing from Chatham, Ill., competed at the Beijing Olympics in the springboard synchronized 3-meter with partner Ariel Rittenhouse. The duo was coached by Chen and finished fourth overall in their Olympic debut. Bryant has been a member of the U.S. National Team since 2005 and has earned numerous accolades during her career. Recently at the 2009 FINA Diving World Series, Bryant was a bronze medalist on the 3-meter (Great Britain). In 2008 at the World Cup, she earned a bronze medal on the synchronized 3-meter and placed 12th on the 3-meter. Nationally, Bryant was a back-to-back gold-medalist on the synchronized 3-meter at the 2007 and 2008 Kaiser Permanente National Diving Championship. In 2005, Bryant was the national champion on the 1-meter and 3-meter at the age of 16. Kelci is the daughter of Randy and Kathie Bryant and is the youngest of five children.
“Minnesota is the best choice for me,” Bryant said. “I have heard so many great things about the team and school and I am excited to be back in the Midwest. Along with the university, Wenbo has been my coach for six years and he has helped me accomplish one of my goals in becoming an Olympian. I know he can help me to get a medal in 2012, which is the long term goal, and I know he can help me bring home some NCAA titles in the three years I have left to compete. I can't put into words how excited I am and how privileged I feel to be a part of the team.”
