Ivy Houser may only get one year as a Hamilton Heights diver, but she certainly made it memorable.
The Huskies senior won the state diving championship Saturday. Houser was involved in a spirited battle with Homestead sophomore Jackie Brenn, but won with 535.80 points. Brenn finished second with 525.35.
“It feels amazing,” said Houser. “I feel like I worked very hard and had it coming to me. The girl who got second, I’ve known for a long time, and I loved competing against her today, she did phenomenal. We just had a great time. I feel good.”
Houser had won the Hamilton Southeastern diving regional by a more comfortable margin, but was able to persevere through the challenge that Brenn gave her.
“I expected a little less of a battle, but it didn’t matter,” said Houser. “I still put my dives down just good enough to win. So that’s what we came here for and that’s what we did.
“I knew I needed at least 51 points to win, but I was just ready to go down and put it down like I know how.”
Next up for Houser is college, and how about this: She has committed to the University of Hawaii.
“I was going to look at some other schools and possibly go to them, but they fell through, so I called up that coach and he said yes,” said Houser.
“I’ve visited the campus. It’s beautiful, I love their program and I’m so excited to start in the fall.”
Aloha.
FOLTA PLACES FOURTH
Fishers’ Maddie Folta added another state medal to the Tigers’ decorated diving program, as she placed fourth at state with a score of 476.35.
“I’m really excited,” said Folta, a senior. “It’s taken four years of high school to get here, and I think it’s finally paid off, all that work.”
While she admitted that she had one or two dives that were a little off, Folta said that she had one of her best meets of the year at state. She was also in the midst of a nice battle between the above-mentioned top two finishers and the third-place diver, Northridge junior Sara Troyer.
“I feel like I’m prepared for college for sure,” said Folta, who has committed to Miami of Ohio University.
“It’s a great school academically, and it fit my needs athletically as well,” said Folta. “It’s not too far from home, and I love the team and the coach.”
COUNTY WELL-REPRESENTED
In total, five Hamilton County divers competed at state, and all five wound up scoring points for their respective teams.
Hamilton Southeastern freshman Sarah Ballard took ninth at state with 442.30 points. Noblesville senior Dayana Popa finished 11th with 434.35, and another HSE diver, sophomore Halli Siwik, placed 16th with 403.75.