VIDEO: Duke divers throw out first pitch at DBAP

Nick McCrory and Abby Johnston are used to synchronized diving. But yesterday, the pair combined to synchronize for something else--throwing out the first pitch before the Durham Bulls game.

The Chronicle and Duke Student Broadcasting president Danny Nolan was at the game with video of McCrory and Johnson, who earned silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Here is the video:

From Nolan's story in today's Chronicle:

“I was nervous,” Johnston said. “I really didn’t want to hit the dirt, but I did, which is really disappointing. Everyone kept telling me to aim high and I tried to, but I got a little nervous.”

After all the attention the duo has received this summer, McCrory wondered why Johnston, a silver medalist in the women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard in this past Olympics, was so anxious.

“Nick asked, ‘Are you nervous?’ Johnston said. “I said yes and he told me that we’ve performed in front of more people at the Olympics. I told him, ‘Yeah, but I was good at that.”

McCrory, a bronze medalist in the men’s synchronized 10-meter platform, felt he had a solid performance on the mound.

“I thought it was OK, but I don’t really know,” McCrory said. “It may have been a little low. People who know baseball [may think differently though].”

Johnston and McCrory returned from the London Games more than a week ago, but still feel overwhelmed with the attention they have received.

“It’s been a great reception at home,” McCrory said. “The support has been amazing from everywhere. That’s really what kept us going throughout the Olympics.”

The transition has been similarly surprising for Johnston, who is unaccustomed to the new attention.

“I’m just so flattered when people want to take a picture,” Johnston said. “It’s just weird to me. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of and it’s just crazy.”

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