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Bison swim-dive on 'big stage' at state, divers hit turbulence
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska High School State Swim and Dive Championships kicked off Thursday at the Devaney Center in Lincoln with the dive portion in the spotlight.
In the second appearance for both divers, McCook seniors Emma Graff and Maryann Kassner both earned at least 300 points during the regular season to qualify for the state dive meet and represent the Bison in Lincoln.
At the state meet, divers perform five dives but then the number of divers are cut down to 20 based upon the best overall scores.
While Emma had a low-scoring second dive, she returned with a high scoring third dive which helped her claim the 20th spot and move into the second round.
Unfortunately, Maryann placed 22nd after the first five dives and was cut from the competition.
For the second round, Emma threw another three dives but unfortunately did not move into the top 16 which is the next round of cuts.
The remaining top 16 compete in the third round to crown a champion and earn medals.
McCook coach Jon Graff acknowledged that both girls struggled on the big stage.
“The state dive meet can be nerve racking for divers, especially coming from the west and not seeing big meets like this,” Graff said.
“But both Emma and Maryann rallied and did some good dives to complete their high school careers and I am very proud of what they accomplished this season.”
Neither McCook diver is probably done with their diving career as Maryann is likely diving for the University of Nebraska-Kearney while Emma is considering swimming and diving at her older brother’s alma mater, Iowa Lakes Community College.
Both girls struggled on the big stage.
With state diving over, attention turns to swimming for the rest of the weekend with preliminary heats on Friday and the finals featuring the top 16 in each event swimming on Saturday.
Emma and junior Abby Renner both qualified in individual events for the Bison along with two relays for the McCook women.
On Friday morning, Emma will compete in the 100 yard butterfly, while Abby is in the 100 yard butterfly.
They will be joined by junior Karstyn Porter and freshman Braelyn Dunworth for the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay.
With 32 slots on Friday, the field is narrowed down to the top 16 for the finals Saturday, which are broadcast on Nebraska Public Radio.
The men take to the pool Friday afternoon with several individual events and representation in all three relays.
Senior Kevin Bantam of Medicine Valley who swims for the Bison is once again competing in two individual events, 200 yard freestyle and 100 yard breaststroke.
Junior Blake Rodewald also qualified in two individual events, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Since swimmers can only compete in four events s at the state meet, they will be joined in the three relays - 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free - by a combination of Aaron and Derick Spencer, along with Josiah Wilkinson, Tate Moser, Jacob Harms, Becket Moser and Eli Graff.
Of special note this year is that all individual event swimmers now hold the McCook High School record for their event, plus a few of the relays.