New+pool+provides+new opportunities

New pool provides new opportunities
The latest addition of a natatorium at Central York High School may be something new and exciting for some student-athletes, but it has become something nostalgic for swimmer/ diver, Annie Smith. After her childhood diving lessons, Smith, a junior, decided to try her hand at competitive diving. The new pool has provided the opportunity to have a real diving team for the first time, complete with eight members. The state-of-the-art swimming pool center, equipped with an eight-lane pool, an adjustable bulkhead, and two 1-meter springboards, is the latest addition to Central’s arsenal of up-to-date athletic facilities. And student-athletes say it’s making a difference. “We have this motivation and pride now with our new pool and I think it’s shown in the swimmers performance and practice,” Smith said. In the long run, the diving team strengthens the swim team as well. After all, when Central travels to other schools without a diving team, the Panther swimmers automatically get the points added to the overall score. Central’s Swimming Coach and Aquatics Director Greg Wimmer says that the diving team isn’t seen as separate. They are just seen as another event to help the overall team. Central’s swim team has started out the season strong with the current record being 4-1 for the girls, while the boys are staying tough at 3-2. And people seem to be noticing. “Now that the pool’s here I think students as well as teachers and staff appreciate it,” Smith said. “We have so much more support than the past years.” Smith, who is a varsity diver, admits that diving has taken her focus away from swimming to some degree, but she is willing to accept the consequences to score well on the boards. “Both swimming and diving are challenging so far but I love it,” Smith said. Diving is scored by three diving experts who hold up a number one to ten after the completed dive. Penalties result in major point deductions and sometimes even contribute to disqualification. In addition to the tough diving technique, most divers admit that it is nerve-wracking as well. “I can’t tell you how scared I was for my first meet,” Smith said. “The whole crowd, teams, and judges staring at you; the room is literally silent.” While the nerves may be taking a plunge on the diving team, the love of the sport seems to remain on board. And with the addition of the new pool, Central’s swim team as a whole is appreciating the opportunities that the natatorium holds. Wimmer says, “it’s so exciting to think about the potential that new pool will add.”

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