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H.S. Swimming: PH diver up for the challenge
Written By: BY ADAM WIRE
Story is from the Anderson Herald Bulletin
PENDLETON — Krissy Riley’s stress level has been higher than a 10-meter springboard lately, but not because of anything the Pendleton Heights senior diver has done in the pool.
Instead, Riley’s trepidation has centered around her college choice. Last year’s fourth-place state finisher verbally committed Thursday to the University of Nevada, putting an end to a hectic week of college visits and tough decision making.
“College visits are very stressful,†Riley said. “I made three visits. I don’t know how people do five (the maximum allowed by NCAA rules).â€
With that ordeal aside, Riley can now concentrate on attaining the goal she’s had since her freshman year. She returns as the state’s top high school diver, according to scores from last season posted on the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association’s Web site. Her score of 440.60 edges her closest challenger, South Bend St. Joseph’s Gabriella Agostino (440.55).
Riley said she hasn’t concerned herself with those rankings.
“I’m glad it’s like that, but it doesn’t mean anything,†Riley said of the rankings. “Every year, people change. Some get better, some get worse. Being a state champion has been my focus all four years of high school.â€
Last year’s accomplishments set the table well for her to win a state title this season. She won the Hamilton Southeastern Sectional title, widely regarded as one of the state’s toughest, before tying for second at the Fishers Regional. She then took fourth in the state meet, behind two seniors and Agostino, who took third.
Riley has been to the state meet in each of her three high school seasons. She took 14th as a freshman, then improved to sixth in 2005, her sophomore year.
The rest of the Arabians aren’t too shabby, either. PH enters this season tied for 19th in the state in the IHSSCA poll.
“We certainly have a lot of talent on the team,†Arabians coach Jeff Maydak said. “Unfortunately, we’re probably in the hardest sectional in the state. Our realistic goal in the sectional is to finish third, and we’ll battle with Highland for that, but we’d like to get more swimmers to the state meet.â€
Riley said she and the other divers are supportive of the swimmers, and vice versa, despite their different practice habits. Riley said she often practices with the Stars, a club diving program. She was on the sidelines in her school clothes at Friday’s after-school practice.
“As much as divers have been separate from swimmers, through the years, we’ve become closer,†Riley said. “I support them, and they support me.â€
While Riley said she knew winning a state title would not be easy, she admitted being caught off-guard by the stress of the college decision making process.
“Coming into my senior year, I was thinking, ‘This will be easy,’†she said. “It’s not that easy. Any athlete that’s looking to do that ... it puts a big strain on everything you do.â€
Posted 11-10-07 |
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