Schools
Long Road To State Complete For Hopkins Divers
Jasmine Smith-Sharp, Abby Whritenour waited five years for the experience they'll get Thursday at the Class AA state meet, and they're ready to seize the opportunity
senior divers Abby Whritenour and Jasmine Smith-Sharp spent five years preparing for a shot at a state meet. The Royals teammates, never faltering in their preparation, continued to pursue their goal up through last weekend’s section meet.
And then it happened.
In their final shot to reach state, the seniors put together the performance they’ve been waiting for—prompting a feeling that could only be summed up in one word.
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“Finally,” Whritenour said, smiling. “That’s the word: Finally. We’ve been waiting for this.”
The teammates will get their long-awaited shot at state this week at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. Diving prelims begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, and the championships take place at 6 p.m. Saturday.
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Smith-Shape and Whritenour not only reached state, they put on a show at the Section 6AA meet. Smith-Sharp placed second with 415.30 points, a career-best that registered 8.8 points shy of Hopkins’ school record set by Maggie O’Brien in 1999. Whritenour placed fourth with 341.60 points.
It’s been a process for both girls, one that weaved through four previous section meets before advancing through as seniors. Diving coach Scott Smith said his approach to diving is a progression—one that continues to build skills through the years.
Smith said Smith-Sharp and Whritenour have reached the competition phase.
“It’s about letting go of nervousness and fear and just facing the challenges that come one dive at a time,” Smith said.
That’s what both seniors are looking forward to at state.
Whritenour said the important thing is being consistent. If they execute their dives the way they know how, they will do just fine. The goal is earning an All-State selection as a top 8 diver.
“For me, it’s just going to be exciting,” Whritenour said. “To go out there and be with some amazing divers who nationally are doing great. We’ll see how I rank and see how it goes.”
Smith-Sharp agreed.
“Just doing my best,” she said. “Seeing how I place.”
Success is the goal, but simply taking the next step and reaching the state tournament is an accomplishment these two teammates will enjoy together.
“It’s really awesome,” Smith-Sharp said. “It just shows the hard work you’ve done and all the dedication you’ve put into diving.”
Class AA Diving
University of Minnesota Aquatic Center
Prelims: Thursday, 6 p.m.
Championships: Saturday, 6 p.m.