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Coaches Invite 2000 (Boys) |
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Tony Sutera Edges Danny Collins for Coaches Invite Diving Title Proving that every point does matter, Tony Sutera, a senior from Fairview High School, led a three-man chase for first at the Coaches Invite 2000 last weekend. Sutera led Pomona Junior Danny Collins by 4 points and Eaglecrest Senior Richard Marschner by 18 points going into the Championship Finals. All three had some powerful dives to finish with. Marschner made up for quite a bit of the deficit by landing a solid 5126d (front somersault with 3 twists) as one of his three final dives, while Collins landed a 101b (front dive) for 9's and stood up a solid 5225d (back somersault with 2 1/2 twists), moving him ever-so-close. But, Sutera finished strong enough to keep a one-point lead on Collins and a five-point lead on Marschner to take the title. Sutera trains for high school season with Jack Jaynes, the Fairview and Boulder diving coach, and then trains year-round with Sagebrush Diving, and will be competing at USD Winter Regional IX April 14-15 in Mesa, Arizona, for a chance to make it to Nationals. "He couldn't be peaking at a better time," explained his age-group coach, Kevin Sage. "Our age-group team will be traveling through one of the toughest USD regional meets in the country, with the exception of perhaps the Texas and Florida regions. He'll need to perform even better than he did last weekend to make it to Nationals." Danny Collins, who trains for high school season with Kevin Sage, the Arvada/ Arvada West/ Broomfield/ Pomona/ Standley Lake/ Wheat Ridge coach, and trains year-round with the Denver University Hilltoppers and Laura Waggoner, had a solid meet, but missed one of his "money" dives. Collins typically hits his 5134d (front 1 1/2 somersaults with two twists) for 6's thru 8's, but nearly failed the dive due to a rare missed hurdle. You can bet Danny will hit this dive solid throughout the remainder of the season, and will be one of the divers to beat at State Championships. Marschner, who trains for high school season with Eric Seaver, Eaglecrest diving coach, and trains year-round with Mile High Diving and Jack Perkins, had one of the most lighthearted quotes after the meet was complete. After Tony was declared the Invite champ, Marschner joked, "I'll let him have this one...," as he referred to State Meet in May. Marschner is one of the few divers that can joke about it, as he has one of the highest DD lists in the State of Colorado, and will be heavily favored to win it all at the end of the 2000 season. Everyone should keep their eyes on the Fort Collins Dive Club cluster of divers, as they were within striking distance, and will be a definite force in the outcome of Colorado State Championships. Kevin Bretting (6th), Andrew Bibelheimer (9th), and Mark Anderson (did not finish due to a shoulder injury) all from 5A Thompson Valley established themselves as heavy favorites to dominate the 5A State Championships, while Tony Gleason (7th) of Rocky Mountain will join them in the hunt for the 5A title. Tyler Johnston (12th) of Poudre and Jeff VanHorn (14th) of Fort Collins made a solid showing. All six dive with Fort Collins Dive Club. |
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