Carson Tyler wins 10-meter platform diving to make Paris Olympics at US Trials in Knoxville

Before Carson Tyler leaped off the 10-meter diving board in hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he listened to American rapper 42 Dugg to get himself “amped up.”

The rapper’s music worked.

Tyler seized control and maintained his lead throughout the men’s 10-meter platform event at the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials Saturday afternoon at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center on the University of Tennessee campus.

He finished with 965.45 points and earned the highest-scoring dive of the afternoon, earning a 90.75 for his back 3½ somersaults tuck in the fifth round. And now, the 20-year-old is heading to his first Olympics.

“I can’t put this into words, it’s so amazing,” Tyler said. “All the hard years of training have paid off, and I’m so happy.”

Tyler’s father, Charlton, had tears of joy after watching his son fulfill his dream.

“I owe everything to them,” Tyler said, referring to his parents. “They’ve been there for me my whole life. I love them so much, and it’s so cool they were here to experience this. They’ve always supported me.”

When the remaining places are assigned, the U.S. may still earn another Olympic spot in the men’s 10-meter platform. If that happens, Brandon Loschiavo will qualify for his second consecutive Olympic Games with 892.30 points.

Tyler, a junior at Indiana, won an NCAA title in the 3-meter springboard earlier this year, silver in the Canada Cup 10-meter event and bronze in the American Cup 10-meter.

Tyler is the seventh Indiana athlete to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

And he’s not done yet.

Tyler will compete in the 3-meter springboard finals Sunday. After the semifinal round, he is second behind Andrew Capobianco. The top two divers will be headed to Paris.

“I’m going to try to stay level-headed,” Tyler said when asked about his mindset for Sunday. “I can’t get too up in the clouds. I have to keep returning to my breathing and stay mentally sharp. I can’t get too high or too low.”

OTHER QUALIFIERS: Tyler Downs, Gregory Duncan win thrilling end to synchronized diving at US Olympic Trials

The opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics is just 34 days away, and Tyler is looking forward to one thing: competition.

“I just want to be there and compete,” he said. “I can’t wait to be in that atmosphere and see what I can do for Team USA.”

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Carson Tyler wins 10-meter platform diving at US Olympic Trials