| The Carbon High boys diving team stands after taking first place at the state finals competition. |
With teams competing from 1A to 5A the Carbon Boys Diving Team brought home the state title.
The event conducted at Brigham Young University on Feb. 7 and according to coach Stew Foster the local flu season left his team with three divers that were performing at less than 100 percent. A little illness would not stop the Dino’s however as they scored 48 points to bring home the championship.
As individuals Brett Wells placed second with a personal best score of 391.25.
“Brett did some very difficult dives with great form,” said Foster.
Travis Hobbs, who won the state title last year had to settle for fourth place, according to Foster.
“Travis had a lot of double somersaults on his diving list,” said Foster. “Which are very difficult dives.”
Both boys were All American level with the points they accumulated.
| Of the top six placing contestents at the state finals Carbon represented two. Brett Wells in second and Travis Hobbs in fourth. Nick Torres nearly got to the podium placing ninth in the competition. |
Nick Torres placed ninth overall. “Nick was down with the flu on Wednesday, the day before state,” explained Foster. “And was very close to getting into the top six places where medals are given.
Kent Olson brought home thirteenth in the finals, according to Foster, Olson has the ability to place but needs to put in a little more work.
Nathan Hepworth placed fourteenth this year and Foster reported that Hepworth has been improving all the time and is starting to do more difficult dives with good form. Kaleb Kulow gained the last place to go into the finals cut off. Kulow placed sixteenth in the finals to give his team one more point in their crushing win over second place Highland High.
“Kenny Hobbs and Dwight Denny did not make the finals but did a great job,” said Foster. “They have improved tremendously for kids who are all in the ninth grade at Mont Harmon Jr. High.”
Kulow is also a ninth grader.
To top things off all three senior divers for Carbon accomplished Academic All-State. Olson received All-State and Academic All-State honors at the meet. He was the only diver boy or girl to do so.
Olson, Hobbs and Wells also received Academic All-Region for swimming and diving in region eight this year.
“One of the college coaches at the meet said he was quite impressed with both Brett Wells and Travis Hobbs,” said Foster. “The kids did a great job this year as they have taken state three out of the last four years. I was proud of them all year for their courage and dedication.”