April 19, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern freshman Chelsea Davis (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) will represent the United States at the 12th FINA Diving Grand Prix April 21-23 in Zhuhai City, China.

Davis is competing in the 3-meter springboard event, which will be held Sunday, April 23. The freshman is coming off a 3-meter title at the Big Ten Championships, the first-ever for a Wildcat diver.

"I am undoubtedly excited for this trip to China," Davis said. "This will be my first international competition since Montreal last year, and I want to go out and show the world that I am back diving and everything is okay."

Davis became the first female Northwestern diver to earn All-America honors this year, finishing 14th on the 1-meter board at the NCAA Championships.

"This is a great opportunity for me to go with the National Team and get more international experience," Davis said. "No other competitions can replace those with international standards."

Davis is Northwestern's first diving All-American -- male or female -- since Ronnie Trumble in 1944.

"Chelsea is preparing well for this competition," NU diving coach Tom Michaël said. "This is one of the most prestigious Grand Prix meets of the year, and all of the top divers from each country will be there. Chelsea will represent the USA very well and is ready to step up and compete with the best the world has to offer."