Being pushed in at deep end works treat for diver
Maddison Keeney's mother pushed her into diving because she thought the skinny pre-teen wouldn't make much of a splash.
Lorraine Keeney was right and wrong. While her daughter still doesn't cause much of a ripple in the pool she is making a big impression in the sport.
Indeed, Keeney has created so many waves off the board in the past 12 months she is one of Australia's strongest hopes of success at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Her extraordinary performance at the national trials in April has reverberated around the world. Keeney won the 1m springboard title with 339.90 points - a score that would have won gold medals at the past three world championships and previous two Commonwealth Games.
The 18-year-old has blossomed at the Australian Institute of Sport diving academy in Brisbane, although she still fiercely considers herself West Australian.
But Keeney's career is full of contradictions.
Unlike many divers she didn't come from a gymnastics or swimming background, preferring athletics and basketball.
At 166cm she is taller than most others at her level of competition.
And, curiously for someone in her sport, she won't go anywhere near the platforms.
"I'm actually afraid of heights," Keeney said before heading to Edinburgh where the Games program will be staged.
The physics student has developed so well she can target Games medals in three events - the 1m springboard, 3m springboard and 3m synchronised category.
