Starting the season with an influx of newcomers, the dive team was striving for success with increased numbers. With new and committed divers, the team’s biggest struggle has been finding practice times due to a lack of pools and issues regarding equipment.
The swim and dive team practices at King Middle School, one of the only APS schools with a pool. However, the one-meter board, where the divers practice on, broke earlier this season. This left the dive team to either use the three-meter board or find somewhere else to practice, causing a limited number of practices.
“A challenge during the season was that we had trouble finding a place to practice because of pool difficulties,” said freshman Huxley Warner, who has been diving for four years. “This impacted our season by being unable to practice as much as the other teams we were competing against.”
Coach Zeke Alejandro, who is in his first year of coaching at Midtown, said while the lack of practices has been the most monumental challenge, the divers have pushed through.
“The biggest hurdle was finding alternate locations for practice while the diving board was being addressed,” Alejandro said. “The team showed unwavering dedication no matter where we practiced.”
Sophomore Parker Koher said Alejandro continued to push the team through the issues in order to be as successful as possible.
“Our coach was a diver in college, and he is really amazing,” Koher said. “He does a great job of helping the whole team get the best they can. Honestly, I did not expect to be where I am, and I owe it all to Coach Zeke.”
Alejandro said the team has persevered through the difficulties well and are working hard to get better.
“We focused on enjoying the process, supporting each other and appreciating how rewarding learning new dives can be,” Alejandro said. “It kept everyone motivated and engaged. Team morale has been incredible. The divers have drawn strength from the challenges they’ve faced and supported each other every step of the way.”
Going into the season, Warner said she had the goal of expanding her diving abilities, but she has also found herself connecting to her teammates and coach.
“A goal for myself going into the season was to learn new dives,” Warner said. “The season has been so fun this year, and I’ve gotten closer to the coaches and people on the team.”
As this was Koher’s first season, she said the biggest challenge is preparing for competitions because of the variety of skills needed.
“At the competitions, we have to do six dives each, and learning these dives has been the biggest challenge,” Koher said. “There are different techniques going into all of them, so starting from scratch has been difficult, but I’ve figured out that, if I mess up on a dive, I just need to brush it off and do better on the next one.”
Alejandro said, despite the difficulties, the new divers have done a good job picking up the skills needed.
“Half the team started the season as beginners, but now they each have six dives for dual meets,” Alejandro said. “We’ve also mastered 3 meter board drills.”
Going into the season, the team had a goal to improve. Now Alejandro said his goal is to conclude the season on a high, and push senior Guy Flynn to the state.
“My primary goals were for the team to have fun, learn new dives, and enjoy every moment of the journey,” Alejandro said. “[Our goal now is] to finish strong as a team and help Guy Flynn qualify for the state competition — it’s an exciting milestone we’re working toward.”
