Wrapping up this year’s Swim and Dive regular season, the team faces the challenge of the playoffs. With Oviedo Swim and Dive, many seem to forget one of the most crucial components that brings them success: the diving team. But when it comes to scoring points at a high school meet, divers contribute just as much as the swim team does. Teams with divers often make it farther due to the key role they play in tallying points.

This season, the Lions are equipped with a total of three seniors who strive to finish out their careers in style. The team’s only boy, Carson Powers, has become one of the state’s top divers in just a brief period of time. He credits his backyard trampoline for falling in love with the sport.  

“I just love the feeling of when you pierce through the water and have such a clean entry,” Powers said. 

Powers is looking forward to facing off against fellow divers in the upcoming regional finals where he hopes to move on all the way up to the state championships. He has plans of possibly committing to dive in college. 

The team hosts a pair of female senior divers: Molly Connell and Chloe Dunn. The pair just recently pushed the Swim and Dive team over the threshold of first place in the Conference championships, thus proving the importance of the dive crew.

“I’m really hoping to have another good season and make states,” Dunn said.

Connell and Dunn both joined the dive team after a career in gymnastics. Both thought that the transition between sports would be smooth since they are so alike. Moving on from conference, both will attend the district finals where they will hope to move on. 

“I am looking forward to the rest of the playoffs and hope to make regions,” Connell said.

The three completed the district championships proving their abilities on a high level. Connell took first place for the girls group while Powers was the boys runner-up.

For Powers, Dunn, and Connell, they are preparing for what could be their last meet ever. They all mutually agree that diving has been a great inspiration in their life and that knowing that their high school career is coming to an end makes these playoffs extra special. Although it is emotional for the trio, they still expect to push forward and help the swim and dive team accomplish their goal of the state title once again.