Jackie Real, La Jolla High's phenomenal diver, set a new record for high score for six dives in the City Championships with 265.85, according to head swim coach Tom Atwell.
Real, a senior headed to Cornell University to dive after graduation from high school next month, accomplished her feat May 7 under the coaching of new LJHS diving coach Janelle Sherako.
Real and teammate Spencer Elliott both finished their Western League seasons undefeated. Elliott, a freshman, recorded a score of 175.1, finishing in third place at the City Championships.
Commenting on Real's career, Atwell said, "She's had an amazing four years here at LJ." Her points from the dive portion of meets provided a major chunk of scoring for the Vikings in swim meets over the past years.
Backing up Real in the girls portion of the City Championships, Brooke Kaufman, a ninth-grader, collected 174.35 points while Heloise Carion, a 10th-grader, had a score of 154.4.
Real's growth from her scores in meets when she competed against 12- and 13-year-olds six years ago to now is remarkable. She has steadily worked hard at her craft, taking all the blows and hits that come with negotiating a metal diving board and an unforgiving water surface, making gains along the way.
In the City Championships on Thursday, Jackie, a compact five-footer in height, landed her highest score on her fourth dive, a reverse one-and-a-half somersault tuck dive. It was 48.4. All but her first dive of the six scored over 40 points each, putting her in position for the record high score.
Her scores on dives, in order, were 39.1, 44.4, 44.85, 48.4, 46.2, and finally 42.9, for the 265.85 total.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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