Team USA Divers Deliver World-Class Performances at American Cup in Fort Lauderdale ...Middle East

By Liz Rosenthal on SwimSwam

2026 American Cup

All photos courtesy of SRX Media Group and USA Diving

While the spotlight focuses on Fort Lauderdale this week for what promises to be a star-studded showcase of top swimming talent, the world’s most elite divers have already delivered a premier event above the water, at the same venue. 

The 2026 American Cup attracted a world-class field of divers from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Haiti, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, in a spectacular four-day format that featured high diving alongside traditional diving events. 

Red, White, Blue… and Gold: Team USA Highlights

From start to finish, Team USA showcased its depth and strength across diving disciplines and events, capturing the opening and closing gold medals, along with others in between. 

Sophie Verzyl, 23, was among the brightest stars for Team USA, entering three events and coming away with three gold medals. She topped the podium in the women’s 3-meter, in the synchronized 3-meter alongside teammate Anna Kwong, and in the mixed 3-meter and 10-meter team event, along with Josh Hedberg, Sophie McAfee, and Jack Ryan.

Verzyl competed collegiately for the University of South Carolina, where she recently represented the Gamecocks at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Kwong, also 23, had a successful collegiate diving career at TCU.

Sophie Verzyl won 3 gold medals for Team USA.

Josh Hedberg, Jack Ryan, Sophie McAfee, Sophie Verzyl: Gold medalists in the Mixed Team event

Team USA swept both the men’s and women’s High Diving titles, claiming gold in each. Reigning World Champion James Lichtenstein, age 31, soared to the top of the men’s field, notably receiving scores of 9’s and 10’s on his second dive of the competition.

Lisa Faulkner, 37, who lives and trains in South Florida, topped the women’s high diving field. A member of the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team, Faulkner is coached by former World Champion Steven LoBue. Earlier in her career, she enjoyed a successful diving tenure at University of Kentucky. 

Lisa Faulkner, Women’s High Diving Champion

Rounding out Team USA’s Gold Medal Performances, Jack Ryan and Quinn Henninger won the gold medal in men’s synchronized 3-meter, and Josh Hedberg won the men’s 10-meter contest

Jack Ryan and Quinn Henninger, men’s synchronized 3-meter champions

Josh Hedberg, men’s 10-meter champion

Competing in her first senior international meet, 16-year-old Evelyn Wang of Team USA qualified for the Women’s 10m finals, marking an impressive debut at this level.

Evelyn Wang, 16, made her senior international debut.

Team USA divers at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex for the American Cup

Fort Lauderdale’s Summer of Diving Soars On!

Missed the American Cup event? Don’t worry, you’ll have more chances to catch world-class diving in Fort Lauderdale this summer, including the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup and the World Aquatics Junior High Diving Championships, from May 15-17, as well as the AAU National Diving Championship from July 14-24.

Flipping Back to Swimming: This Week’s Forecast is Sunny with 100% Chance of Fast Times!

The much-anticipated Speedo Fort Lauderdale Open will take place April 29 – May 2, 2026, at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, featuring an all-star lineup of swimmers, including Katharine Berkoff, Shane Casas, Kate Douglass, Caeleb Dressel, Bobby Finke, Carson Foster, Chris Guiliano, Thomas Heilman, Luke Hobson, Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel, Leon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Regan Smith, Alex Walsh, and Gretchen Walsh.

Top college and club teams from across the country will also compete, including the University of Florida, University of Texas, University of Virginia, Auburn University, NC State, Ohio State, and more. 

You can purchase tickets to the Speedo Fort Lauderdale Open here.

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