Goodman likes his team's progress

Wayne Grandy

June 01, 2007 10:13 pm

— MOULTRIE — In the first meet of the summer competitive season, Moss Farms diving coach Ed Goodman is more concerned with how his team is performing, rather than where the individual divers finish.
And after the first day of the Moose Moss Invitational on Friday at the Moose Moss Aquatic Center, Goodman is pleased so far.
Moss Farms did have two legitimate even winners: Anna Aguero won the five-diver senior women’s 3-meter event and Elizabeth Ann Kirkland took the 12-13 girls 3-meter, which had eight entries.
But it was the lists performed by Aguero and Hannah Moore in back-to-back events that impressed Goodman more.
“We’re building. We’re progressing,” Goodman said Friday. “We’ve got three weeks until Regionals and we’re pretty much on schedule.
“I especially like how we’re doing on tower. That’s usually the last thing to come together.”
Moore and Aguero competed in the 16-18 girls platform event with Kirstyn Shepler, who is diving unattached, and Skye Sanders of Tennessee Diving.
Shepler was first with a 349.00, but Moore was a close second with a 342.05. Aguero had a 335.70 for third.
“They both put together a good tower list,” Goodman said.
Sanders was fourth on platform with a 287.05.
After a short break, Moore and Aguero took part in the senior women’s 3-meter, which Aguero won by exactly one point over Moore with an outstanding final dive.
“I’m really happy with how they dove two solid lists back-to-back,” Goodman said.
Aguero had a 237.65 in 3-meter. Moore had a 236.65.
Lauren Leroy of Tennessee Diving was third with a 221.85. Helen Alvey of the Atlanta Diving Association was fourth with a 197.50.
And while obviously pleased with seeing his team’s improvement, Goodman also was gratified with Kirkland’s victory.
Kirkland scored 240.25. Lauren Hall of the Atlanta Diving Association was second with a 229.15.
“(Hall) has basically had Elizabeth Ann’s number in the last few meets,” Goodman said.
But Kirkland hit a 2 1/2 tuck on her final dive to clinch the gold medal.
Tristan Wells gave Moss Farms another first-place finish when he scored a 147.20 to win the 11-and-under boys 1-meter.
Atlanta Diving’s Knox Willoughby, the only other diver in the field, had a 121.05.
Camille Kirkland of Moss Farms was fourth in the girls 11-and-under 3-meter event, scoring a 150.35
Gracia Leydon-Mahoney of Charles River Diving of Waltham, Mass. was first with a 243.30.
She was followed by Lizzie Tillo of North Florida Diving, with a 171.30; Caylin Hirapara, North Florida Diving, 156.80; Kirkland; and Sophie Davies, Charles River Diving, 146.50.
Sergey Meshcherskiy, who is listed as both a coach and a diver for the Charles River team, won the senior men’s 1-meter springboard event with a 279.85, topping a field of seven divers.
Alex Watson of Atlanta Diving was second with a 271.25.
Watson was followed by Jordan Horsley of Southeast Xtreme Diving, 269.70; Thad Ellis, Atlanta Diving Association, 267.75; Michael Muscari, Tennessee Diving, 261.75; Stevie Vines, Atlanta Diving, 257.05; and Owen Blank, Moss Farms, 249.10.
The 10-11 girls 3-meter novice also had just two entries.
Samantha Williams scored a 102.50 to defeat her Atlanta Diving Association teammate Nicole Williams, who had an 87.50.
Three events had just one diver.
Owen Blank of Moss Farms had a 372.05 in the 16-18 boys platform.
James Dail of Tennessee Diving had a 220.70 in the 14-15 boys platform.
And Stephanie Delang of Atlanta Diving had a 163.85.
Competition will begin again at 9 this morning with the 10-11 girls 1-meter novice; the 11-and-under girls 1-meter; and the 10-11 boys 3-meter novice.
Camille Kirkland will be in the 11-and-under 1-meter field, and Tristan Wells will compete in the 10-11 boys 3-meter even.
At about 10 this morning, the 12-13 girls 1-meter novice, 12-13 girls 1-meter J.O. and 12-13 boys 3-meter will be held.
Moss Farms’ Bethia Dawson will be in the novice competition.
Elizabeth Ann Kirkland will compete in the 12-13 girls 1-meter and Tevin Hightower will dive in the 12-13 boys 3-meter.
At around 11:15 this morning, the 16-18 girls 1-meter event will be held with Moss Farms divers Hannah Moore, Anna Aguero, Ali Lepech, Kelsey Goodman and Erin Goodman scheduled to take part.
The 16-18 boys 3-meter will be held at the same time with Jacob Russell representing Moss Farms.
The 14-15 girls 3-meter, which is expected to include Ann Perry Blank and Jillian Braun, will start around 1:30 p.m.
The 14-15 boys 1-meter will be held at the same time.
And in one of the day’s two final events, Hannah Moore, Kelsey Goodman and Ali Lepech will take part in the senior women’s 1-meter springboard.
The senior men 3-meter springboard also will begin at that time.