BLHS GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE: Potterf closes career with fourth-place state finish

Published 1:09 pm Monday, November 16, 2009

By Brenda Sexton

The Courier-Herald

An eight.

When Bonney Lake’s Kelsi Potterf finished her second of three dives in the final round of the Class 3A state championships, the board at the end of the King County Aquatic Center flashed her scores from the seven judges – none were less than a six and one was an eight.

“An eight at state means something,” Panther coach Ruth Conrad said.

“It was the first eight I’ve ever gotten,” the Bonney Lake senior said.

Her total for that back dive was a 32. Combined with the 25 from her reverse one-half somersault and the 34 from her somersault with a half twist – along with the eight dives she performed in Friday’s preliminaries – she finished with 347.80 points for a fourth-place state finish.

When the water calmed, Kennedy’s Paige Greely and Potterf were separated by .40.

“It was one of her strongest dives,” Sumner dive coach Nick Leigh said of Potterf’s performance. “Paige Greely is an adrenaline diver, and she was able to pull it out. Kelsi had an amazing meet.”

Greely was third with 348.20 points. Celia Pinczower of Juanita won the event with 394.10. Ashley Knox of Kennedy was second with 368.60.

“I keep improving, that’s the best part,” said Potterf, with the hint of a smile, as she reflected on her 14th-place finish as a sophomore and her sixth-place finish last year.

“A lot of other coaches were saying she has some of the most natural lines for a diver they’ve ever seen,” Leigh said.

Leigh said Potterf’s gymnastics background has a good deal to do with it. A Level 9 gymnast, who is a regular for the Panthers at the state meet, she shifted her focus to diving for the wider array of opportunities.

She’s hoping to land a scholarship and a place on the team at San Jose State, University of Ohio, Miami of Ohio or the University of New Mexico.

Leigh said wherever Potterf goes, she should find success. She brings with her a strong work ethic and determination.

“What makes her successful is her own personal drive to be better every single day,” he said. “Her willingness to learn and she always has a positive outlook.”