5A Boys Diving: Garrison of Highlands Ranch Completes Climb to Prime of Podium

THORNTON – Ascending to the highest of the rostrum within the diving competitors on the state championships is as simple as 3-2-1 for Highlands Ranch senior Andrew Garrison.

Garrison, third as a sophomore and second as a junior, the senior earned the 5A state title on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.

 

“It feels great,” Garrison mentioned. “It feels like I’ve made good progress over my whole high school diving career.”

 

Garrison gained the title by accumulating 616.30 factors. Dennis Kolesnikov of Northfield (third final 12 months) was second with 585.55 and Carter Bachman of Northfield (seventh final 12 months) was third with 557.25.

 

With the three-year championship reign of Cherry Creek’s Luke Ogren having ended, Garrison had a transparent path to the highest and he took full benefit of it.

 

“I was just having fun diving,” Garrison mentioned. “I just got back from an international competition, and I took my experience from that into feeling confident here. I got my routines set, I was having fun and I had a great cheering section. I was very happy.”

 

Garrison scored 509.60 as a sophomore at state and 541.60 final 12 months.

 

His dives have been on level all day.

 

“My favorite was 305 (reverse 2 ½ somersault tuck),” Garrison mentioned. “I was very happy with it.”

 

In a few month, Garrison shall be off to proceed his diving profession on the U.S. Naval Academy. He mentioned a handful of his uncles, three cousins and two grandfathers have additionally served in varied branches of the navy.

 

At Navy, Ogren shall be amongst his teammates.

 

“I’m hoping to keep playing and get an aviation spot,” Garrison mentioned. “I don’t know how long I’ll do that, but I’m hoping for a good military career.”