Latest news with #DiamondCook
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Incredibly proud;' Local university gymnast earns program's first-ever All-American honor
A local gymnast made history at the 2025 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Wilberforce University's Diamond Cook scored a season-high 9.75 on the floor exercise in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 11-13. Advertisement She earned a spot in the Event Individual Finals and secured the title of a First Team Floor All-American, according to a university spokesperson. TRENDING STORIES: 'Her dedication, focus, and passion for the sport shone through every movement of her routine. We are incredibly proud of what she has accomplished—not just for herself, but for the entire Wilberforce athletic community,' said Coach Morgan Byrd, Wilberforce Gymnastics. The university congratulated Cook on social media. 'Proud is an understatement!' Wilberforce Gymnastics wrote on its Instagram account. 'She came, she conquered, and she left her mark. From making history to dominating the floor, Diamond is just getting started. Can't wait to see what she brings next season. Keep an eye on her… she's the one SHINING.' Advertisement Wilberforce launched its gymnastics program in 2024. The university said Cook's win is a defining moment for their athletic history. 'Her achievements are already inspiring a new generation of young Black gymnasts, showing them what's possible with hard work, resilience, and the right support,' the university said on its website. Photo contributed by Wilberforce University (via Facebook) [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wilberforce gymnast earns university's first All-American Honors
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — One local college athlete has made it to the national stage. Gymnast Diamond Cook was first introduced last fall in a Tell Me Good News segment when Wilberforce University made history as one of the first ever historically Black university gymnastic teams. Now, Cook has made history again, as the first ever All-American gymnast at Wilberforce. Wilberforce University gives new life to cut HBCU gymnastics program 'One of my favorite highlights was making it to nationals and becoming the first team All-American,' said Cook. Now in her third year of university as a business management major, Cook is a life long gymnast who dreamed of competing in college. Cook initially began at Talladega College, another HBCU, but due to funding, their gymnastics program was cut. However, Wilberforce stepped in to give those gymnasts a second chance, creating a brand new team last fall. The new team attended their first meet on Jan. 3, and has since competed in meets all across the country, even hosting the first ever HBCU gymnastics meet, the Isla Classic, on Wilberforce's campus. Cook shined throughout the season, and made it all the way to nationals for the first time last week. From April 11-13, she defied all odds stacked against her, becoming an All-American. 'I proved all the things that people were saying about me negatively, I proved it all wrong,' said Cook. Pickleball facility replacing vacant Big Lots site And after making history yet again, Cook is proudly using this time in the spotlight to inspire other young gymnasts. 'It feels great, especially being able to be like an inspiration to other young Black gymnasts out there,' said Cook. 'I know it can be hard for us because it was hard this year, but I was still able to push through and make history.' Going forward, Cook says she hopes even more gymnasts from the team will be able to compete with her next year at nationals. To learn more about the Wilberforce gymnastics program, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
