BEIJING | Diving head-first was David Neville's only option at winning an Olympic medal.

MORE: Neville's Beijing run brings enthusiasm to Merrillville.

MORE: Neville overcame doubts to make U.S. Olympic team.

The Merrillville graduate finished the 400-meter finals on his chest -- not his feet -- and it earned him a bronze medal Thursday at the National Stadium in Beijing.

"I felt people coming up on me on the inside and there was nothing else I could do," Neville said an hour after his race. "The first thing that popped into my mind to save that medal was to dive."

The dive completed his 44.80-second run and edged Christopher Brown of the Bahamas by .04 seconds..

"I couldn't have asked for anything better," Neville said. "I was really nervous but really confident. I just knew something spectacular was going to happen."

His nerves led to a blazing start that made the final 100 meters a struggle. But Neville's father, David Jr., knew a fast start was the key to being in position to medal.

"At the 200 (meter mark), he was way out there and looking good," David Jr. said. "At this level, you have to go for it. He did it. Praise the Lord."

For complete coverage of Neville winning bronze, read Friday's edition of The Times.