In Memoriam: Champion ECU diving coach Mark Lenzi

Mark Lenzi (Photo courtesy of East Carolina University Sports Information)

Olympic gold medalist and former East Carolina University diving coach Mark Lenzi died April 9 in Greenville. He was 43.

Lenzi’s alma mater, Indiana University, made the announcement Monday.

Lenzi represented the U.S. at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he won the gold medal on the 3-meter springboard.

After a brief retirement, Lenzi returned to the sport in 1995 and qualified for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics on the 3-meter springboard, where he earned a bronze medal.

Lenzi won 18 international competitions in all on the 1- and 3-meter boards. He was the first American to win a gold medal at the Pan American Games on the 1-meter springboard and was the first diver to score over 700 points (762.35) on the three-meter springboard for 11 dives.

Lenzi won NCAA titles in 1989 and 1990, winning the 1-meter springboard both years. Lenzi was a four-time Big Ten Champion, winning all three disciplines in 1989 (1-meter, 3-meter, platform), and taking the 1-meter title in 1990. He was named NCAA Diver of the Year in 1989 and 1990.

Lenzi spent the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons as men and women’s diving coach at East Carolina University. Prior to that Lenzi coached the junior diving team at IU, with divers winning four national age-group titles.

Survivors include his wife, the former Dorothy Koncsol of Greenville; his mother, Ellie Lenzi of Fredericksburg; two brothers; a sister; and a grandmother.

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