Larson's dedication pays off

CEDAR RAPIDS - All the hard work is paying dividends for Sara Larson.The Cedar Rapids Washington senior diver increased her workload during the summer and it's propelled her into the upper tier of divers in the state.Larson tallied a score of 234.76 to win six-dive competition as the Warriors split a double-dual Tuesday night against Cedar Rapids Xavier and Dubuque Senior. The Warriors beat the Saints, 124-50, but lost to the Rams 102-81. Senior also beat Xavier, 118-43.Larson had ranked fifth in the state with a score of 233.80 for six dives before setting her season best score Tuesday night. It's the best reported six-dive score in the Mississippi Valley Conference before Tuesday's action.“I'm pretty excited about it,” Larson said. “I worked pretty hard during the off season, so the fact that I've been doing this well I'm really content.”Time away from varsity seasons was spent, honing her craft. She made the effort to dive  three to four days a week. She also worked with former Cedar Rapids Kennedy three-time state diving champion Meghan Sievertsen, starting sessions with the Linn-Mar current Linn-Mar assistant at the end of her junior season. Larson also attended a week-long diving camp at the University of Minnesota in June.“That kind of got me exposed to some 3-meter and platform (diving),” Larson said. “That helped a lot with entry technique.”Don Bear, an assistant diving coach and former diver for Washington, said the devotion in the offseason has helped her to a strong start. Bear said the extra work helped her keep her rhythm and technique."She really dedicated herself in the offseason," said Bear, a 1988 Washington graduate. "That's been helpful not needing that 'ramp up' period at the start of the season."Larson, who qualified for the state meet as a freshman and sophomore, broke out last year. She reached the state meet finals for the first time, placing eighth overall. The finish was a confidence boost but it also added motivation to reach the state podium in her final campaign.“This year I'm going to have to make that happen," Larson said. "I've been working toward it. That's my goal for the season.”Larson is even more accomplished away from the 1-meter board. She owns a 4.395 grade-point average and ranks among the top-10 of her class, which consists more than 300 students. Larson earned numerous academic honors, including being a part of ADASTRA, which is the Washington chapter of National Honor Society and is an AP Scholar with distinction.“I've always been the type of person who tries their hardest at whatever they do,” said Larson, noting almost her entire day alternates between academics and diving. “It's really paid off with my schooling.”Don't ask her which accomplishments mean more to her. They both are special.“I don't think I favor one over the other, because I've done well in both,” said Larson, who is undecided where to attend college but keeps diving at the next level as a possibility. “I'm really proud of what I've done in both.”Bear said she served as a camp counselor in previous summers. it's an example of a well-rounded student athlete. "She's a great kid," Bear said. "I can't say enough good things about her."Larson and the Warriors hope to add state medalist to those good things. She isn't caught up in her current performance and is focused on progress throughout the whole season.“I don't want to peak in the middle of my season,” Larson said. “I want that to be at state. I'm going to keep working hard, doing what I'm doing and having fun. Hopefully, that will all pay off in the end.”The Warriors received first-place finishes in two other events. The team of Maddie Dietz, Alex Stephens, Audrey Rouse and Jackie Allen captured the 200 medley relay win for Washington, racing to a time of 2:0o9.24. Washington's Kaitlin Ackerman won the 100 backstroke, touching the wall in 1:12.07.Inexperience has led to some growing pains for the Warriors. They're working through it and the season is a work in progress."I'm happy with some races," Washington Coach Megan Lewis said of Tuesday's competition. "We have some work we need to do. We have goals as a team and some of those have to start coming together."Xavier won three events, led by double-winner Carly Kenney. Shae swam to victory in the 100 free (1:04.57) and 100 breaststroke (1:26.33). MacKenzie Asplund, a state qualifier last year, won the 500 free, finishing in 5:40.41.