Talk about being in sync. Two divers from Duke University, in two separate events, have helped the United States win Olympic medals in synchronized diving. That’s certainly something to tweet home from London about.

First it was Duke senior Abby Johnston, paired with fellow American Kelci Bryant, winning a silver medal Sunday in the women’s 3-meter synchronized competition. Then, on Monday, Nick McCrory, also a Duke senior, and partner David Boudia won bronze in the men’s 10-meter event. McCrory, by the way, has another local connection: He’s a graduate of East Chapel Hill High School.

Although the United States has been a consistent world power in swimming, our diving teams, of late, have hit a dry spell. The two medals won Sunday were the first for the U.S. in any Olympic diving event in 12 years. They were also the first ever for Americans in synchronized diving, which became an Olympic sport in 2000.

It’s a difficult event. Just as with individual diving, there are twists and turns in the air, forward and back, and the necessity of entering the water with as small a splash as possible. But in synchronized diving, each move must be matched – synchronized – by the diver’s partner. Think of it as doubly difficult.

The Duke duo didn’t get to London without good training. The U.S. diving coach is Drew Johansen, who just happens to be Duke’s coach too. Of course there’s another Blue Devil head coach also working at the Olympics. Krzyzewski’s the name, and he’s got some talent on his team too. Stay tuned.