York diver Peter Barabolak’s goal this season was to make it to the state finals after he finished 15th in the state in 2015.
Barabolak’s opportunity to do so came on Friday, Feb. 26. The junior monitored how his score stacked up with the state’s best divers as they all did their first five dives during the state diving preliminaries at Evanston.
Barabolak was 10th after his first five dives, which earned him a berth in the semifinals. Then, with his three least consistent dives coming up, Barabolak locked in.
“I wasn’t watching my score at all because I was just trying to get through my dives. I just wanted to focus on those (three) the most,” Barabolak said, after he finished 11th at the state finals on Saturday, Feb. 27. “I guess it turned out OK.”
Barabolak’s first dive of his three crucial semifinal dives was his back dive pike, and he executed it excellently. It was the best back dive he’d ever done in competition, he said. Barabolak’s second dive of semifinals, a back one and one-half somersault pike, received fewer points than he usually receives on it, he said. He added that his final semifinals dive, reverse one and one-half somersault tuck, was decent.
At the end of semifinals, Barabolak learned his fate. He was in 12th. He had earned the final spot in the state finals by 2.15 points over Evanston sophomore Harel Anolick (13th, 301.90).
“I was really relieved I made it into the finals because that was basically my goal the entire season,” Barabolak said. “I think the back dive that got me in because I’ve never done it that well.”
Hinsdale Central, Lyons share friendly rivalry
The Lions and Red Devils were rivals all season in the pool but friendly and respectful outside of it. That was clear at the state finals.
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The swimmers from Hinsdale Central and Lyons sat next to each other in Evanston’s natatorium as they jostled for the top spot in the state. Not only that, their sizable fan sections also sat side-by-side and showed excellent sportsmanship throughout the meet.
“Both sections were cheering for each other’s kids,” Lyons coach Scott Walker said. “To have that kind of support on both sides, you can’t match that.”
Eric Van Dril is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @VanDrilSports