NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — A late change of plans means the North District Swimming and Diving Championships becomes a two-day event in two different locations.
The divers will compete today at the University of Arkansas Natatorium in Fayetteville, while swimmers will convene Wednesday at the Jones Center in Springdale. Both events were previously scheduled for John Brown University in Siloam Springs, but they were moved because of scheduling conflicts.
“It makes more sense to have it here,” Springdale High coach Matt Hervey said. “It’s a lot easier for some of the teams to get here, and there are eight lanes at the Jones Center compared to six lanes at John Brown.
“That means there are less heats, and we’re hoping things will run smoother. There is also more room for swimmers and spectator, and we’re hoping people will come out to see it.”
Something the Jones Center doesn’t have is a diving board, so the Natatorium enters the picture. Each participant gets to make 11 dives off a 1-meter board during the event.
AT A GLANCE
North District Swimming and Diving Championships
When: Today for diving, Wednesday for swimming
Starting times: 3:30 p.m. for diving, 3 p.m. Wednesday for swimming.
Where: Diving, University of Arkansas Natatorium; Swimming, Jones Center.
Who: Alma, Bentonville, Clarksville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith Northside, Fort Smith Southside, Greenwood, Springdale Har-Ber, Rogers Heritage, Mulberry, Siloam Springs, Springdale High.
The diving should be competitive as Fayetteville senior Parker Meinecke will battle Bentonville juniors Tyler Rousey and Alex Miller, the defending state champion, on the boys side. The girls will be led by Bentonville sophomore Melanie Rippl and the Fayetteville duo of freshman Erin Farrah and junior Hannah Martin.
“The title is anybody’s to take on both sides,” Bentonville coach Nick Nersesian said. “It’s going to come down to the person who stays focused and handles the pressure, then hits the dives as clean as possible.”
Bentonville is considered the favorite for the two team titles, but coach Steve Duwel knows it won’t come easy. Teams will have every event loaded as much as possible since swimmers are battling for spots in the state tournament as well.
“The biggest difference between district and state meets is depth,” Duwel said. “A team can win a district meet with numbers, where a state meet is about quality.
“I feel good about our position, but there are some other teams that can come along and have a shot at it.”