NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolStudent Life
Watters makes a splash at state
Feb 28, 2006 9:16 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
In only her second year of diving, Landon Watters has already made a big splash. The Darlington sophomore is currently ranked No. 8 in the state, which should be no surprise to those who know her passion for athletics.
After competing in gymnastics since age 4, Watters changed gears during her freshman year after suffering several injuries.
“I decided it was time for me to move on,” she said. “Doing gymnastics and having so much homework was hard to balance. I also wanted to play a sport that could get me more involved in the Darlington community.”
So Watters decided to go out for the track team. She took up pole vaulting, and now holds the female record at Darlington. This fall, she also competed with the cross country team and trained with metro-Atlanta divers to prepare for her diving season.
In her first six-dive meet in January, Watters scored 207 points, which is just over the 200 needed to qualify for the state competition. After that, it was on to Atlanta, where she scored 301 points placing her in the top 10 divers in the state. Watters was first in the AA classification, but because A, AA, AAA and AAAA are ranked together, she was ranked No. 8 overall.
Watters’ has a firm grasp on her strengths and weaknesses, and said her work ethic pushes her to keep on improving herself.
“My training and discipline in my gymnastics made an easy transfer to diving,” she said. “The summersaults and twists came with ease, but it is some of the other stuff I have more difficulty with at meets. I need to work more on my board work, entries and making my dives flashier.”
According to diving coach Pat Waddell, there are great things ahead for this young swimmer. If Watters keeps at the sport year-round, then no school record will be out of her reach, she said.
“Although she was a little nervous at the state meet, I know she can do a lot for the sport in upcoming years,” said Waddell. “Landon is a good motivator, has a natural talent for the sport, and has a great attitude, all of which are necessary for success.”
In the future, Watters said she hopes to represent Darlington as best she can, and with the support of her coaches, teammates, classmates and family members, she knows it will happen.
After competing in gymnastics since age 4, Watters changed gears during her freshman year after suffering several injuries.
“I decided it was time for me to move on,” she said. “Doing gymnastics and having so much homework was hard to balance. I also wanted to play a sport that could get me more involved in the Darlington community.”
So Watters decided to go out for the track team. She took up pole vaulting, and now holds the female record at Darlington. This fall, she also competed with the cross country team and trained with metro-Atlanta divers to prepare for her diving season.
In her first six-dive meet in January, Watters scored 207 points, which is just over the 200 needed to qualify for the state competition. After that, it was on to Atlanta, where she scored 301 points placing her in the top 10 divers in the state. Watters was first in the AA classification, but because A, AA, AAA and AAAA are ranked together, she was ranked No. 8 overall.
Watters’ has a firm grasp on her strengths and weaknesses, and said her work ethic pushes her to keep on improving herself.
“My training and discipline in my gymnastics made an easy transfer to diving,” she said. “The summersaults and twists came with ease, but it is some of the other stuff I have more difficulty with at meets. I need to work more on my board work, entries and making my dives flashier.”
According to diving coach Pat Waddell, there are great things ahead for this young swimmer. If Watters keeps at the sport year-round, then no school record will be out of her reach, she said.
“Although she was a little nervous at the state meet, I know she can do a lot for the sport in upcoming years,” said Waddell. “Landon is a good motivator, has a natural talent for the sport, and has a great attitude, all of which are necessary for success.”
In the future, Watters said she hopes to represent Darlington as best she can, and with the support of her coaches, teammates, classmates and family members, she knows it will happen.
