Ladies Swimming & Diving: SMA’s Mia Williams Defends 3A Diving Title By Narrowest of Margins

THORNTON – Mia Williams didn’t even start diving till her sophomore 12 months. 

Now, the St. Mary’s Academy senior is a two-time state champion in Class 3A. Title quantity two was gained by the slimmest of margins on the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton on Saturday. 

“It was a rough meet, but I fought at the end,” she mentioned. “I’m just glad that it all worked out.”

Her closing rating of 426 factors topped Liviana White’s 425.75, barely. The Roosevelt diver was a worthy foe. 

“I knew Liz Kennealey (Kent Denver), she was number three… I knew she was going to give me a run for my money,” Williams mentioned. “Number two, I’ve never competed against her, but it was a challenge.”

The Kent Denver star tallied 419.10 factors for the bronze medal. Marabelle Balliet of Thompson Valley completed fourth with 409.95.

“The whole time the top four girls were within points of each other,” the champion mentioned. “It did come down to the last dive.”

Williams was a gymnast, however ultimately burned out. The Georgetown University recruit discovered she had pure potential in diving. In reality, she positioned third at state her very first season as a sophomore. She helped carry the Wildcats to a workforce state championship. Then, her first particular person crown racked up factors for a workforce that completed runner-up to Discovery Canyon final 12 months. 

“Last year was more exciting, because it was my PR (personal record) of the season,” she mentioned. 

The senior hopes St. Mary’s Academy scores sufficient factors within the swimming finals tonight to earn their second state championship within the sport. She expects Discovery Canyon and Kent Denver to contend, as effectively.