Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Lenzi Dead At Age 43

Fredericksburg-area native Mark Lenzi, who won a gold medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona as a diver, died today at age 43 in North Carolina.

According to the Free Lance-Star, Lenzi had low blood pressure health problems and was hospitalized for the past two weeks. Lenzi, who is a graduate of Indiana University, returned to his alma mater to help the diving program, according to the university website. He won the NCAA title in the one meter in 1989 and in 1990 at IU.

His Olympic win in 1992 was for the three-meter springboard, winning by 31 points. Following the 1992 Olympics, Lenzi retired from competing.

His mother, Merry Ellen “Ellie” Lenzi, still lives in Fredericksburg.

Messages for Lenzi's family and his wife Dorthy can be left and read here.

The Indiana University Hoosiers website memoralized Lenzi today.

The Washington Post

Mark Lenzi's obituary:

Mark Edward Lenzi April 09, 2012

Mark Edward Lenzi, 43, passed away on Monday, April 09, 2012, on the 91st birthday of his grandmother, Marie Cochran. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 – 8 pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home.  A native of Virginia, Mark and his wife, Dorothy had been residents of Greenville since 2009. He was a graduate of Indiana University and worked as a Dive Coach for a number of years.

As an accomplished diver, Mark participated in the Summer Olympic Games of 1992 and 1996, where he was awarded the Gold and Bronze Medals respectively and was the last American male to medal in the 3-meter springboard. He continued his success and love for diving in his coaching of various age groups. A loving husband, brother, son and friends, Mark will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.  Mark was preceded in death by his father William Sylvester Lenzi in 2007.

He is survived by his:  wife, of 7 years, Dorothy Jean Koncsol Lenzi;  brothers, William T. Lenzi and wife, Katherine of King George, VA, and  Luke A Lenzi and wife, Ashley of Lake Anna, VA;  sister, Lisa Ellen Iden and husband, Jack of Lake Anna, VA;  mother, Merry Ellen “Ellie” Lenzi of Fredericksburg, VA; grandmother, Marie Cochran of Sharon, PA;  in - laws, Mike and Judy Koncsol of Twinsburg, OH.