Twichell, Johnston Open World Aquatic Championships

KAZAN, Russia – A pair of former Blue Devils were in action Saturday, July 25 on the second day of competition at the 2015 FINA World Aquatic Championships. Ashley Twichell was one of two U.S. swimmers in the women's open water 5K race at the Kazanka Venue while Abby Johnston took to the springboard in the women's 3-meter synchronized diving event.

Twichell crossed the finish line sixth overall in the 5K open water event, posting a time of 59:10.0. The 2011 Duke graduate and member of the U.S. open water national team was second in the same event earlier this year at USA Swimming's Open Water National Championships.

Johnston teamed with fellow American Laura Ryan in the 3-meter synchronized diving competition, held at the Aquatics Palace in Kazan. The duo finished eighth in the preliminary round with an award of 275.40, and improved upon that score in the event final. Johnston and Ryan amassed 292.50 points after receiving 67.50 points on their final dive of the day to place ninth overall. China's Tingmao Shi and Minxia Wu claimed the gold (351.30) while teams from Canada (319.47) and Australia (304.20) were second and third, respectively.

A 2012 Olympic silver medalist in women's 3-meter synchronized diving, Johnston will next compete in the individual 3-meter event Friday, July 31. She is also slated to take part in the mixed gender synchronized 3-meter competition Sunday, Aug. 2.

Twichell returns to action Saturday, Aug. 1 in the women's open water 25K, while current Blue Devils Jaimee Gundry (women's 10-meter platform diving) and Isabella Paez (women's 100-meter butterfly) will also compete in Kazan. Duke head diving coach Nunzio Esposto is serving as a coach on the U.S. staff for the meet.

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