The third time was the charm for Chagrin Falls junior Samantha Holtz who won the Division II state diving title in her third trip to the state meet.
Holtz finished the 2023 OHSAA Swimming & Diving Championships at C.T. Natatorium with a score of 454.95, nearly 50 points more than the state runner-up.
“I am feeling truly grateful,” said Holtz, who placed third as a freshman and fourth last season as a sophomore. “It’s such a privilege being able to compete in Canton again with the support of my team and coaches. I’m thrilled to finish with a strong score alongside so many incredible divers.”
Her previous state meet experience allowed Holtz to settle into her routine and to tackle the pressure of rushing out to an early lead.
“I got myself into a routine as soon as the meet started, which really helped me get started strong,” Holtz said. “I love knitting, jamming to music, and talking to friends and teammates between dives to keep my energy up.”
Holtz approached her third trip to the state meet confident she had the ability to finish on the top step of the podium, but she also was aware of just how quickly things on the board can change.
“Going into any meet I try to not predict anything,” she said. “Diving is a truly unique sport in the way that a meet can change completely in the blink of an eye. I always try to keep an open mind and be ready for anything.”
Holtz had a comfortable lead after her first five dives, but she didn’t settle.
She finished her final three dives with scores of 44.00, 41.40, and 47.60.
“I try my very best not to look at scores during the meet so it wasn’t until the last diver went that I realized what I had placed,” she said. “I was very happy with my overall performance. I thought I had a great set of dives. It makes it so much better that I was able to complete them in front of my very supportive team, friends, family, and coaches.”
