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Class S dive champion Cali Mandell hugs sixth-place finisher and Weston teammate Francesca Sparagna.
Weston High / Contributed photo
MIDDLETOWN — Ali Colburn from Conard and New Canaan’s Kaitlyn Maggio took turns in first before Colburn edged out a victory by one tenth of a point at the CIAC Class L diving championship on Wednesday.
“The competition was amazing,” Colburn said after her razor-sharp 460.5-459.95 win. “I thought I got second so when I began shuffling up toward the diving board I was really shocked when they read my name in first. I didn’t know what to expect going into states, but all of my hard work paid off. I remind myself that I’m not focused on winning but doing my best. Every time I go to a meet I want to do better than I did the last time.”
Conard coach John Smachetti was amazed by his junior.
“Ali went from just starting diving to being a class champion,” he said. “She joined us as a sophomore. It was a Covid year, a limited season with no 11-dive formats in place.”
Maggio, also a junior, led after five rounds on the 1-meter board. They switched positions after eight dives.
Maggio led after 10. Colburn passed her on the 11th dive.
Colburn, the school record holder in the 1-meter for both 6 and 11 dive format, is small in stature and short on experience. How does she do it?
“Ali is tiny, but her approach is that she gets excellent height off the board,” Smachetti said. “This allows her to complete dives well before she enters the water. She enters nice and vertical.”
Class L Diving Results
1. Alison Colburn, Conard 460.05; 2. Kaitlyn Maggio, New Canaan 459.95; 3. Natalie Penman, New Canaan 453.90; 4. Ella Olafsson, New Canaan 416.75; 5. Sophie Root, New Canaan 373.95; 6. Megan Hayes, Darien 367.60; 7. Lilly Wurm, Darien 356.45; 8. Olivia Perkins, Darien 354.85; 9. Annelise Enters, Darien 342.25; 10. Rachel Giroux, Conard 336.90; 11. Layla Solberg, Middletown 336.15; 12. Hannah Tao, Cheshire 331.20; 13. Lindsey Turgeon, South Windsor 327.20; 14. Sarah Beck, New Milford 323.25; 15. Gabrielle Alekshun, Conard 312.00; 16. Shelby Gerber, South Windsor 299.30; 17. Emily Sardo, Wethersfield 294.25; 18. Myranda Parker, Newington 289.05; 19. Kaitlin Yeaton, Newtown 289.00; 20. Bailey Klein, Warde 286.25; 21. Mia Rosario, Conard 280.55; 22. Dayna Miller, Wethersfield 272.30; 23. Shannah Gray, Newington 272.15; 24. Ella Hall, Newtown 238.10; 25. Alexsia Newman, Bristol Eastern 180.30; 26. Aisling Gowen, Pomperaug 176.80.
CALI MANDELL FROM WESTON CLASS S CHAMPION
WALLINGFORD — Weston’s Cali Mandell had no expectations when the junior entered the pool area and headed to the 1-meter board for the CIAC Class S diving championships at Sheehan on Wednesday.
“Cali led the whole time, but it was within reaching distance,” Weston dive coach Shannon Craley said. “She had no idea where she was on the leaderboard going into her 11th dive. I knew what she needed to win. She did her dive, and I knew she got it. When I told Cali, her eyes got big as saucers. It was a fantastic moment.”
Mandell and Woodland’s Ella Bernegger separated themselves from the pack with Mandell winning 359.05-353.75. Waterford’s Camille Caldrello placed third at 336.70.
A gymnast who took up diving as a freshman, Mandell wanted to keep her emotions in check during the event. Leaders on the board were updated on phones. She wanted no part of it.
“I try not to think about the scores but on being happy with myself and how I did. Thank God it wasn’t there for all to see,” Mandell said of the leaderboard. “I just kept off my phone and tried not to look around and read people’s faces. After my last dive coach told me I had won, and it was a shock. I tried not to react. When they announced the leaders it re-enforced what she had told me. Francesca Sparagna completed a new dive and finished sixth. It was a great day.”
Class S Diving Results
1. Cali Mandell, Weston 359.05; 2. Ella Bernegger, Woodland 353.75; 3. Camille Caldrello, Waterford 336.70; 4. Shaelin DiGioia, Woodland 328.65; 5. Amelia Licht, New Fairfield 324.00; 6. Francesca Sparagna, Weston 314.25; 7. Molly Clifford, Oxford 304.30; 8. Savanna Bauman, Sheehan 299.00; 9. Emmalyn Rodriguez, Sheehan 289.15; 10. Claire Enerson, New Fairfield 286.35; 11. Adriana Raymond, St. Paul 285.00; 12. Trinity Duffey, Sheehan 266.45; 13. Hannah Walsh, Rocky Hill 256.35; 14. Emma Conard, Watertown 244.95; 15. Marissa Saverino, Watertown 232.95; 16. Brielle Polidoro, East Catholic 223.20; 17. Marissa Moriarty, East Catholic 142.55.
william.bloxsom@hearstmediact.com Twitter: @blox354