Michael Manhard

Hello, my name is Michael Manhard, and I am a senior undergraduate student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. My primary focus is on structures, while also pursuing a certificate in Applications of Computing. As a member of the varsity diving team, I have chosen to explore the performance and behavior of competition diving boards for my senior thesis.

Most competitive springboard divers would agree that a consistent diving board is key to a successful performance. Unfortunately, every diving board offers a unique “feel” to it that can alter how a diver will be able to utilize it. Through my research, I aim to quantify the inconsistencies in the performance of competition diving boards and to identify the factors that cause these inconsistencies. Ultimately, I intend to reduce the effects of these factors, so divers can focus solely on their own performance rather than that of the equipment

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