By RICHIE HALL
INDIANAPOLIS – It was fun last year, so why not do it again this year?
Hamilton Heights senior divers Ethan Swart and Nathan Cox made history by finishing first and second last year at the IHSAA state diving finals. The duo repeated that feat this year, making it the first time that one school went 1-2 in diving at consecutive state meets.
Swart repeated as state champion with a score of 585.75 points. He led after the first round and the semifinals, finishing up with three high-point dives. Swart scored 66.00 on his 10th dive, a back two and a half somersault in the tuck position, then totaled 63.00 points for his final dive, a forward three and a half somersault.
“I knew what I needed to do it and I just walked in and did it,” said Swart. His score is the fourth-highest state championship total in IHSAA history.
Cox was in a battle for second place, and had to bounce back after a tough ninth dive. He did so splendidly, scoring a 62.40 on his 10th dive (forward one and a half somersault, two twists), then totaled a 67.50 on his final dive, a forward three and a half somersault.
“After that happened, I just knew I got to doing the best I can,” said Cox. “I didn’t give up, but it was just kind of out of reach.”
Both divers are off to Division I programs next year, with Swart heading to Auburn University and Cox committed to Virginia Tech. They have set a new standard for the Heights diving program.
“It’s crazy what we’ve done the past two years,” said Swart. “It’s something that’s unheard of from Hamilton Heights. We’re not really a big school, so you don’t hear much from them. But when you hear two divers going to state and two divers going 1 and 2 two years in a row, it’s crazy to think about, because it just doesn’t happen very often.”
“I agree,” said Cox. “It’s something to look back on and say ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ This makes history at Hamilton Heights and everyone’s so proud of us. It’s nice having that publicity.”
Schade fifth, Kless seventh
Hamilton County had a good diving day, with Fishers junior Jacob Schade placing fifth and Noblesville junior Aiden Kless placing seventh. Both won state medals for the second year in a row.
Schade scored 495.70 points, improving his state score from last year by 20 points. In addition to having a good meet for himself, Schade also wanted to make sure he contributed to the Tigers’ team score.
“This year I really thought more about the impact on the team,” said Schade. He said his performance “isn’t just for me, it’s for everybody, for the coaches, for the swimmers, for my teammates who weren’t able to make it here today.” Schade said that approach “makes it so much more fulfilling in doing my best” and helping his teammates achieve their goals “as well as mine.”
Kless finished with a score of 466.15 points, but he felt like he “underperformed. Last year I got fifth at state and I think I just got too in my head.”
Still, Kless scored 50 points better from his state score last year. Both he and Schade will be back next year.