Hampton senior diver Adrienne White prepares for final PIAA meet

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 11:25 PM

Hampton senior diver Adrienne White entered the WPIAL diving championships three times in her career with a legitimate shot at gold. Three times, she settled for silver.

That might frustrate some competitors, but the reason White isn't fretting is perhaps the biggest reason she's been one of the most consistent divers in the state over her career.

“It was my senior year, but I wasn't disappointed,” said White, who will compete in her final state meet at Bucknell after finishing second at the WPIAL diving championships Feb. 24. “Overall with diving, I'm happy with it and proud of what I have accomplished.”

Hampton coach Morgan Zweygardt noted White's demeanor as calm and consistent, which keeps her on point.

“She's so good natured about it and doesn't beat herself up about it,” Zweygardt said. “Of course, it would be nice to win, but that's not how she sees it. She sees it personally, like, ‘What can I do to get better next time?' ”

Though there are no first-place finishes on her resume, White has plenty of accomplishments. Along with her three runner-up finishes at WPIALs, she has four PIAA championship appearances. But this season was different.

The day before Thanksgiving, White suffered a concussion during a dive and had to take a month off double practices, knocking her off her usual routine.

“It was my first injury I've gotten from diving,” she said. “Coming back, there's protocol. It took a little more time than I wanted, but I picked up in time for WPIALs.”

White placed second to Penn-Trafford junior Paige Kalik. Latrobe senior Taylor Miller (403.50), like White, finished in the same place as last year at third. White described both girls, with whom she dives outside of scholastic meets, as close friends.

“We all know each other's strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “We're all pretty equal competitors, so going into it, it was going to be show up and see who's got it that day.”

Added Zweygardt: “If the swimming community is small, the diving community is even smaller. They're all very supportive of each other.”

White also was supportive in leading the younger divers at Hampton this year.

“I know it can be a hard sport to come into,” she said. “People expect to do flips right away and then get frustrated. I just wanted to help them out. It's OK if you don't get it right away. It takes time. … I just like being with other people that have the same passion for the sport.”

Offering support comes naturally to White, who committed to Duquesne, and will pursue a career in nursing.

“They have a great nursing program and hospitals close by,” she said. “I love the team and coaches, and thought it was a place I could thrive in and out of the pool.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.