CANTON — Sarah White is making a habit of traveling to Canton at the end of February. After all, she’s done it three years in a row.
But this year the journey was extra special.
Last winter White finished third at the state diving competition in Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium. On Thursday, when the waves settled and the scores were tabulated, Big Walnut’s junior standout finished as the state runner-up among Division I girls.
White nailed down her spot on the podium with a brilliant effort on her final dive, scoring a 49 with 2.3-degree of difficulty. It was good enough to conclude the competition with 463.90 points, just behind New Albany’s state champion Samantha Petroff, who netted 480.45 points.
That performance was the focal point, but not the only local story bouncing off the boards.
In total, five Delaware County divers finished in the top 16, four girls and one boy.
White had local company on the Division I girls podium in the form of Liberty’s Abby Foskey, who finished fifth with 439.25 points, and Olentangy’s Evelyn Fitz, who was seventh with 432.90 points.
In addition, Olentangy’s Danielle Kourie placed 16th in the state with 381.45 points.
On the boys’ side, Liberty’s Leo Ryan was 12th in Division I diving with 411.35 points. Solon’s Mitch Caldwell won the Division I state championship with 588.65 points.
For complete state diving results, follow this link, or check out the PDF below.