BY JAN ALLEN

It was history repeating itself in the Class AAAA/A diving portion of the Georgia High School Association state championships Wednesday at the Westminster Schools. Both winners from last year successfully defended their titles.

Westminster junior Stevie Vines scored 24 more points than he did last year to win the boys state title with 547.75 points. In second was senior Addison Still from Tucker with 482.80. Junior Marty Long of Marist was third with 432.15.

Westminster diving coach Cynthia Potter said. "We talk about the process by which you improve on a daily basis. Stevie is the kind of diver who just wants to progress. He is conscientious in practice; he tries to improve the things he does. He is an amazing leader, a very good role model without being vocal."

Vines had been battling sinus congestion all week and couldn't even finish practice on Tuesday. He said he just hoped to be able to dive consistently and keep his routine going.

"I've been sick for the past few days, but I felt less tense this year," he said. "Next year I want to get better at my harder dives, learn some new dives, and be healthy."

In the girls competition, Helen Alvey, a senior at Walker, defended her state title (456.20) over junior Hannah McElhannon of Oconee County, who finished second with 435.40 points, and senior Landon Watters of Darlington, who was third with 417.60.

Alvey used the same dive list from last year, but fell a bit short of the 493 points she earned as a junior. "I didn't dive as well this year," she said. "I've had a couple off weeks recently."

For her pre-meet routine, Alvey listens tomusic from "The Lion King" right before her first dive, always gets on the board from the same side and throws her diving towel down on the ground in the same spot.

Alvey, who plans to dive at the University of South Carolina in the fall, said her goal to repeat as county and state champ this year was challenging. "I learned not to get frustrated when I have a bad dive and how to come back."

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