For the first time in nine seasons, Loyola had two divers finish in the top 10.
Sophomore Christopher Canning took third with 476.20 points, and senior Ryan Nash was eighth after scoring 442.75.
Canning’s third-place medal was the highest finish by a Rambler since Michael Nash, Ryan Nash’s older brother, was the runner-up as a senior in 2012. Canning was .25 behind Deerfield senior Sean Scarry’s second-place score of 476.45.
“I could have done a little better, but I am happy,” Canning said. “I left it all in the pool.”
After receiving his medal, Ryan Nash shook his head and said “those four years went by quickly.” He competed at the state meet all four seasons at Loyola.
“I’m definitely going to miss it,” Ryan Nash said.
Loyola diving coach Tony D’Amico said Canning and Ryan Nash were good complements to one another. Canning is artistic, while Ryan Nash is mechanical. Both styles have their own merits, according to D’Amico.
“Chris is the most graceful and effortless diver I’ve ever coached,” said D’Amico, who’s coached divers at Loyola for a decade. “He makes things look so easy, and that’s what makes him special.”
On the other hand, Ryan Nash is a master of technique.
“His body parts are in the right place,” D’Amico said. “He’s so clean and sound with his dives.”
Ryan Nash said he and Canning have a good relationship with one another. The two, who are Loyola’s only divers, have competed together for four years.
“He pushes me to get better,” Canning said. “It’s important to have that kind of person around.”
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D’Amico said Ryan Nash was a leader on the Ramblers and like a big brother to Canning. Ryan Nash often lightened the mood at either practices or meets with his sense of humor, according to Canning. Even at Saturday’s finals, Canning said Ryan Nash was making him laugh.
“He makes the best out of any situation,” Canning said.
Canning and Ryan Nash were the first Loyola duo to make the state finals since 2006 when Andy LaCorte and Matt Cline finished sixth and eighth, respectively.
D’Amico said he will miss coaching Ryan Nash, who is looking at diving at Miami (Ohio), where Michael Nash is a junior diver.
“To know this is the end of the line coaching a Nash is bittersweet, a little sad for me,” D’Amico said. “Those boys were spectacular to coach. They are like my kids.”
Ryan Nash said Canning has the talent to become Loyola’s first diving state champion since at least the 1931-32 school year. IHSA records don’t go back beyond that.
“I’ve been blessed to have some talented divers,” D’Amico said. “[Ryan Nash] and [Canning] are up there with the best I’ve had.”
Twitter: @harnesspreps