NYSPHSAA DIVING: CORNING'S TERWILLIGER EARNS STATE MEDAL; HORSEHEADS' BACHERT DIVES IN STATES (15 PHOTOS) (2021-11-19)
By Brian FeesSouthern Tier Sports ReportITHACA — For Brooke Terwilliger there were three dives left to try and move up in the standings and earn a state medal.
The Corning diver sat 14th after eight dives with a score of 321.65. She sat within three points of 10th place, the last spot on the medal stand.
The last three dives were good ones, as Terwilliger finished at 444.30 bringing home a 10th place medal from the NYSPHSAA Diving Championships on Friday at Ithaca College.
“I’m extremely proud of Brooke’s composure in her first state meet,” Corning coach Alyssa Helsing said. “Even if she didn’t hit a dive perfectly, she stayed focused and in the moment. Brooke has put in the work and is very rewarding as her coach to see her dive so well and make it on the podium.”
For Terwilliger it was a 122.65 over the final three dives that helped her earn a state medal.
"I am so excited," Terwilliger said. "It was such a fun opportunity to be able to compete in states. Coming into them meet I was a little nervous because everyone was doing so well, but my goal was to get in the top 10. My coach was very supportive throughout the meet, and I am very happy with how I did."
After the preliminary round Terwilliger sat 11th at 120.55.
The preliminary round consisted of five dives. The top 24 divers moved onto the semifinals, which was three additional dives, and the top 20 made the final, which was also three dives.
Anna Flanders of Albany won the title at 509.70, two points ahead of Manhasset eighth-grader 507.70.
For Terwilliger being at states with such great competition could be scary at times, but it was something fun.
“It’s really nerve-wracking, but I’m really excited to have this opportunity,” she said.
The Corning sophomore knew there were some other great divers, but she enjoyed watching them all through the day from warmups to the championships.
“It’s a little scary, but all their dives are super pretty,” Terwilliger said.
Horseheads’ Emma Bachert finished 43rd. She had a score of 152.50 in the preliminary round.
For both Terwilliger and Bachert it was nice having someone they knew from a nearby school in the competition with them.
“It’s a lot better because I know someone and I can talk to her throughout the meet,” Terwilliger said.
“It gives me some company, some people to talk to, have fun with,” Bachert said.
For Bachert the whole experience was fun.
“It feels really good,” Bachert said. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but it’s also really fun. I’m glad I get to experience this.”
For Bachert the trip to states came after she won the sectional meet. That win was special for the Horseheads junior.
“It was really surprising,” Bachert said. “I was actually really excited.”
Seeing all the competition at states was fun for Bachert.
“They are really good,” Bachert said. “I just look at them and am like wow, I wish I could do that.”
And, as she sees the best in the state compete it just motivates Bachert even more.
“It makes me want to dive better and get more dives,” Bachert said.
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IN TOP PHOTO: Corning’s Brooke Terwilliger. . . PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
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