Diving Duo Hopes to Propel Hornets to Another State Title

girls diving teammates Kim Larson and Yasmeen Almog have a special bond. The Hornets duo has been together for five years and has helped comfort and motivate one another during that span.

On Thursday, the two began one last meet together.

Larson, a senior, and Almog, a junior, represent Edina at the Class AA state meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. Almog currently sits fourth with 277.20 points and Larson 16th with 234.95 points after the preliminary and semifinal rounds.

The two will compete in the championship finals on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Hornets’ duo made state together last year for the first time. This year, they’re hoping to take the next step.

After Almog finished sixth and Larson 20th a year ago, both are ready to use the experience they earned in 2010 to improve their scores in 2011. Competing together is an important part of that process.

“It really does help having someone there who you know,” Larson said. “Just someone who knows you and you can rely on—help you push through something that is very difficult.”

Hornets diving coach John Dailey said Tuesday he thinks both can reach the Top 8.

But Dailey, who said he feels honored to coach these girls, was quick to point out individual results are not as important as the team’s finish. Edina has at least one swimmer in each event at the meet and is a legitimate threat to win its .

“It means a lot to the team, because it contributes to the team effort,” Dailey said. “Especially the type of team we’ve got here where every event has tremendous talent. For me personally, it’s being able to see their dreams come true and their aspirations come true. That’s the fun part for me.”

Both Almog and Larson appear ready. At the Section 6AA meet, Almog won the title with a 459.25 point performance. Larson took third at 401.45, just behind Hopkins’ Jasmine Smith-Sharp.

“We’re going to have an idea of what it’s like going in and know what we need to do to get where we want to go,” Almog said of this year’s state meet.

That and their work this fall have prepared both Hornets divers for this moment.

“(State has) been our goal all season,” Larson said.

Almog agreed.

“That’s what we’ve been training for the past 6-7 months to do this,” she said. ‘We’ve been working toward this.”

Class AA Diving Schedule

University of Minnesota Aquatic Center

Championships: Saturday, 6 p.m.