Aaron Fleshner, Meghan Houson win 1-meter springboard diving titles

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- Aaron Fleshner and Meghan Houston won 1-meter springboard titles at the U.S. national diving championships Tuesday.

Fleshner, of Spring, Texas, dominated the final round, scoring 70 or better on five of his six dives, with three in the 80s. That included the final round's best score, an 86.70 on an inward 2 1/2 somersault pike.

Fleshner finished with a six-dive score of 465.50, easily beating 2011 winner Michael Hixon of Amherst, Mass., who had 411.90. Samuel Dorman of Tempe, Ariz., was third with 407.40.

"I knew who I was diving against, so I thought I had a pretty good shot," said Fleshner, whose best previous finish at U.S. nationals was eighth in 2010.

"I did my bigger dives first, and took it from there. I've been doing it that way the last few years, because I like diving out of the pike position."

Houston, who will be a freshman at Texas, beat 2011 winner Amanda Burke of Southhampton, Pa., by a closer score, 274.80-270.75. She had four dives of 50 or more points, including the final's best score, a 61.50 on an inward 1 1/2 somersault pike. Samantha Pickens of Tuscon, Ariz., was third at 265.50.

"I didn't even make the finals last year, but I was diving well in practice and the juniors, so I thought I had a chance this time," said Houston, who finished second in the event at last week's U.S. junior nationals in Greensboro.

"I wasn't expecting first place at all, though. I had one dive that was a problem, but I still did good enough."

Abby Johnston, who won an Olympic silver medal in the 3-meter synchronized event, withdrew from the women's 1-meter competition.