Matthews wins third state diving title
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Casey Matthews won her third New York State 1-meter diving title in four years at last weekend's New York State Championships in Long Island. File photo

For the final time of her high school career, Casey Matthews is the queen of New York State 1-meter diving.

The Williamsville North senior won her third New York State diving title in four years at last weekend's New York State Championships at the Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center in Hempstead, Long Island. Matthews broke her own 11-dive state meet record of 515.40 with 538.15.

"It was really important because it was my senior year," said Matthews. "I wanted to treat it like any other meet. I dive well under pressure so that helped. Having fun at this meet was important for me."

North coach Doug Cassidy said Matthews led after the third round of preliminaries held on Friday. Matthews had a 43.8 point (393-349.20) lead over Jenny Chiang of Fairport (Section V) after preliminaries.

Matthews would need the big point total cushion as Chiang slowly chipped away at the lead in Saturday's final, going up by 46 points heading into Matthews' final dive, an inward 1.5 pike. To add to the drama, Matthews drew the second to last spot to perform (39th out of 40).

Undeterred, Matthews scored 63 points on her last dive to win by 18 points.

"When I set (extend both arms while standing at the end of the board), I blocked everything out and focused on what I needed to do," said Matthews. "I knew in the back of my head that I had to score 46 points. It was my best optional dive so I knew I could do it for more than that."

"I could read her face," added Cassidy. "She didn't look nervous or scared, just focused."

Matthews won state titles in her freshman and junior year. Her lowest place finish at states was fifth in seventh grade. She took third as an eighth-grader and second as a sophomore.

"The first dive she ever took for us six years ago, I told her I was going to be there to watch her win three or four state titles," said Cassidy.

"I definitely reached a lot of my goals this year," added Matthews. "I felt I had a good season."

Matthews also won the section's sportsmanship award.

"Casey has been a model for our team," said Cassidy. "Whenever anyone mentions swimming or diving at North, everyone thinks of Casey Matthews."

Matthews will be attending Purdue University next fall.

Two other schools in the Town of Amherst sent swimmers to the state meet.

Williamsville East sent senior Janelle Munroe (13th in 100 butterfly, 59.37; 42nd in 100 backstroke), sophomore Bailey Woodling (15th in 100 freestyle, personal best time of 54.23; 30th in 50 freestyle) and Munroe, Woodling, junior Kristen Ostanski, senior Tori Mayer and junior Britany O'Dea in the 200 medley relay (21st, 1:54.82).

"It was definitely a good finish to a good season," said East coach Mike Doefler.

Sweet Home was represented by Paige Gutowski (seventh in 100 breast, 1:07.34; 12th in 200 individual medley, 2:11.56).

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com