BLOOMINGTON
Greenwood senior Faith Jackson and Center Grove sophomore Kenzie Mills are very good friends, and now the two will get to enjoy the best high school diving experience of all.
During Tuesday’s diving regional at Bloomington North, Jackson and Mills were battling back and forth and it was Jackson that slightly came out on top with a score of 408.25, finishing in third. Mills was right behind in fourth with a score of 407.60. Both Jackson and Mills qualified for the state meet on Saturday.
“Kenzie and I are actually teammates all throughout the summer with our club, so it’s really awesome that she gets to come with me for my senior year,” Jackson said. “I’m so happy that I’m going to state, but it feels even more amazing going with some of my friends.”
Jackson found herself in third place after five dives with a 193.45 and fourth place after eight dives with a 294.25. Mills was in seventh after five dives with a 186.30, but had very solid dives in rounds six through eight to jump up to third place with 297.45.
Mills will be making her first trip to state.
“It’s really exciting, since our sectional is so hard to get out of,” said Mills, who earned the fourth and final regional qualifying spot on her last dive. “It’s good to know that I made it through, too. I’ve worked really hard all summer for this and had a lot of practices over the season. I’m glad I’ve finally got here.”
Center Grove diving coach Anna Arnott has seen the growth in Mills.
“We’ve been focusing on the little details and the mechanics,” Arnott said. “It’s really been a long journey and we’re really excited and she has grown a lot over the summer.”
Sadie Mills of Mooresville won the event with a 446.90.