Bismarck, North Dakota - News

Submitted photo University of North Dakota diver Cristi Lindsey, a Bismarck native, has twice been named North Central Conference diver of the week.

Cristi Lindsey can't wait for the holiday break to be over.

Sure, she's probably excited about presents, seeing family members and the like -- but the University of North Dakota diver wants to get back to the water. And no one can blame her for the start she's off to this season.

"This season has been all right so far, but I think it's going to be better after the Christmas break," Lindsey said. "I'm pretty confident -- a lot more confident than last year."

Lindsey has earned the distinction as the North Central Conference's diver of the week twice this season. The most recent honor came for the week ending Dec. 4, after the junior from Bismarck won both the one- and three-meter events at the Mutual of Omaha Invitational in Omaha, Neb.

"Cristi's always been a good competitor," UND diving coach Brian Strom said. "She's at the point now where she doesn't really need to learn anything, she just has to perfect what she knows and work on being consistent in what we do."

Just a junior, the former Century High School standout has already earned status as a three-time All-American. She took third at the 2003 nationals on the one-meter board, and was third in the three-meter event as well as fourth in the one-meter competition at last year's nationals.

Lindsey gives credit to former All-America teammates Erin Borgschatz and Jenna Portelance for helping her get to the top of the national standings so quickly -- and this year's team has been equally competitive with the likes of Danielle Visina and Kari Nolz.

"This is one of the best teams I've ever been on, and we really push each other," Lindsey said. "It's really helped having teammates like this to compete against in practice, because you know you're going against the best every day."

Lindsey hasn't emerged as one of the top divers in Division II -- she's always been one. Any time a diver nets a top-three finish at the national meet as a freshman, it proves she's among the elite.

"Each of the last two years, she's had an experienced, senior diver ahead of her, and there wasn't that much attention put on Cristi," Strom said. "Now she's the No. 1 diver and people are looking to her.

"(Borgschatz and Portelance) may have gotten the attention, but Cristi's always been in the mix."

Actually, there only two non-UND divers have scored higher than Lindsey at the national meet in Cal State-Bakersfield's Laura Lafranchise and Clarion's Jamie Wolf. As a freshman, Lindsey was third in the one-meter competition behind champion Lafranchise and runner-up Borgschatz.

Last year, Lindsey was third in the three-meter event behind champion Wolf and Portelance. In the one-meter event, Lindsey was fourth behind Wolf, Portelance and Lafranchise, respectively.

"To look and see that she's only been beaten at nationals by two divers that aren't teammates is pretty good," Strom said. "She's never been lower than fourth, either. She's done pretty well, and she's going to do well again."

UND's women's team is currently ranked No. 1 in Division II according to a poll by CollegeSwimming.com, and Lindsey is setting her sights on helping the Fighting Sioux chase down a national title.

"I feel like this is a better start than I've had, but I don't pay attention to that stuff," Lindsey said. "... You just have to focus to do well at nationals, and focus on what you have to do to be the best."

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