As Maya Kelly stands at the edge of the 10-meter platform at the University of Minnesota’s Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, she dries herself off to reduce any chance of slipping. It’s a long way down.

She turns her back to the pool, takes a breath and launches off the platform. She twists and pierces the water feet-first.

At only 18, Kelly’s execution is already elite. It’s the precision that helped her reach a milestone on the world stage.

In late July, Kelly won bronze at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. One of the youngest athletes in the 20-meter diving event, she was only surpassed by 33-year-old Australian diver Rhiannan Iffland, who won gold, and Canadian Simone Leathead, 22, who won the silver.

“I think trusting in my own head, in my own body and doing what I usua

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