Keann Guthrie, 11, and Jordis Watkins, 10, attended the Texas diving state championships representing LHHS.

Both girls competed as part of the 24 high school divers in Texas at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center at University of Texas at Austin. Guthrie competed in 11 different dives from five different categories and Watkins did eight. 

“I was nervous,” Watkins stated, “but I tried my best.”

Competing at the state level and representing your school can be nerve wracking to say the least. 

“I had a lot of nerves going into the competition because I had pressure on myself to perform well.” Guthrie mentioned. 

Pre-competition rituals are amazing at easing all the comp-jitters. The girls had a share of their own that they do before going out to dive. 

“My pre-comp ritual is core exercises,” Guthrie said, “as well as stretching and modeling my dives.”

While this is great and works beautifully for LHHS’s NC State committed diver, on the contrary Watkins has another ritual. 

“I usually talk to my other teammates and coach for fun before and during meets. I also try to talk to all the divers and make new friends while in warm-ups.” Watkins added, who also competes for her club team at Dallas Metroplex diving. 

 Both girls plan to dive next year and will hopefully attend state again for the LHHS team.