Whitnall's Stave scales the mountain again

The road became a bit tougher for Whitnall junior Rachel Stave at this year's WIAA Division 2 state swimming and diving meet on Friday night in Madison, but the destination was the same as last year.

Stave captured her second straight state championship in diving with 444.2 points, beating out Sierra Becker of River Falls with 388.2 points.

Her title continues a remarkable three-year start to her high school career. When she was a freshman, she lost the title by just 5.1 points, and as a sophomore, she came back to claim the crown with 470.2 points, just off the state record and finished ahead of Becker by nearly 100 points.

The task was more difficult this year, for a variety of reasons.

"I think the pressure was more than last year," she said. "(At that time), I had finished second in the previous season. This year, I was defending the title, and that was pretty scary. I felt nerves more this season, but I tried not to think about it too much. I wanted to just think about diving and having fun, rather than about my place."

Also, Becker proved to be a stronger and more tenacious foe than a year ago.

"I don't see her during the season," Stave said. "I knew she was good, but I didn't expect her to be that good."

Nevertheless, Stave prevailed and took her spot on the top podium.

"I was excited (I won), and I was glad it was over," she admitted. "It was fun, but I was relieved when it was over."

Whitnall coach George Guddie and Stave's diving coach, Cheryl Weber, agreed that Stave's margin of victory, while smaller this year, did not mean she performed at a lower level than last season.

"She did 10 dives well and missed one of them," Weber said. "Last year, she had nothing to lose. She wanted to win and she was aware of the state record, but just in the back of her mind. I think she was surprised she got so close to it.

"This year, she faced more pressure because people wanted to know whether she would defend her championship and break the record.

"Also, the judging is so subjective; the panel is not always looking for the same things. It's not like swimming, where you are going against a set time. I think when she looks at the tape of this year and last year, she will see she was close. She didn't go down in performance."

Guddie said, "From what I saw, she nailed everything. I know she felt the pressure from people wanting her to break the record."

Weber, who has coached Stave since her freshman year, said there are several reasons for her continued success.

"First, she is an overall great athlete," Weber said. "She was second in the long jump at the state track meet and qualified in the 400 meters and on a relay team. In gymnastics, which she did prior to diving (for eight years), she performed at a high level.

"Also, she is on top of her game. She never misses a practice, and she has drive and dedication to do whatever it takes. She is a good student, too; the whole package."

Stave enjoyed her junior season, especially since the Falcons had two other divers, Lauren Engel and Rachel Tillman. Last season, she was the lone varsity diver.

"I liked it a lot (to have the company)," she said.

Stave was one of three Whitnall entries at the state meet. Senior Laura Sullivan finished 15th in the 100 breaststroke at 1 minute, 10.7 seconds and teamed with juniors Sarah Arteaga and Lauren Zurowski and senior Danika Johnson to place 15th in the 200 medley relay with 1:56.42.

The Falcons finished with 26 points for 24th place in the 37-team event, which was won by Milton's 236 points.

"I was pleased with our performance," Guddie said. "This was the fastest Division 2 meet in a while."

After the state meet, Stave reflected on the meaning of her accomplishment and looked toward the future.

"This means that another one of my goals has been reached," she said. "I am also excited because now the high school season is over and I can get started in club diving."

She competes for the Schroeder YMCA Club and will now practice at that facility until meets begin in the spring and summer.

After that, she will be back next fall for Whitnall to try for her third state diving championship.