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Durant Divers Looking To End On High Note At Class 3A Meet

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By MATTHEW POSTINS, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 3, 2007

Durant's Kaylee Doback is diving for more than a state title this weekend at the Class 3A state swimming and diving meet at the Central Florida YMCA in Orlando.

Her college plans are likely at stake, too. The four-year state participant would love nothing more than to post a top-three finish in the 1-meter diving event and do it in front of a large group of college scouts.

The senior's first choice is the University of Florida, and she's talked with the Gators. But she hopes a top performance today will allow her to get a better scholarship offer from the Gators.

"Florida is my dream school," Doback said. "But I'm trying not to think about that."

Doback's teammate, Chris Plante - who will compete in the boys 1-meter diving event - has no such worries. He's already locked into attending Dartmouth in Hanover, N.H., which is close to his native Rhode Island.

But both are out to end their high school careers on a high note. Both are four-year state participants. Doback had her best finish last year in eighth place. Plante finished third last year.

Both are undefeated this year, including a sweep of the diving events at the 3A-Region 2 meet last weekend in Sarasota.

"I've had good meets this season," Plante said. "There are always one or two things I'll make a mistake on. I feel like I can get it all right this weekend."

Entering this weekend Doback is seeded 11th after scoring 414.40 points at regional. Cherie Hammond of West Orange is the top seed at 524.75. Plante is seeded fifth with a regional score of 461.65. Hunter Torrence of Olympia had the best regional score of 577.30. Both know that a score of at least 500 points is necessary to be in contention.

Both have been involved with diving for most of their childhoods. Doback started at age 5 and Plante at 8. They've both gotten used to the relatively solitary nature of the sport. It doesn't draw the crowds of swimming, and the pair didn't stick around for the swimming finals last week.

"It's definitely more low-key," Doback said. "I don't know much about the swimming meets, but diving is more calm, and swimming, especially the finals, is craziness."

Many of the students at Durant may not know they are both four-year state participants. Plante didn't necessarily agree, but he said the sport of diving itself just isn't that popular.

"Our school has always been supportive of us at our meets," Plante said. "It's not as recognized as swimming, which is unfortunate. But it's the nature of the sport."

Doback and Plante hope those supporters witness a career best by both today.

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