Elizabeth Finn dives for the win

Junior Elizabeth Finn flies. Time stands still for her as she leaps from the pool board into a graceful somersault before plunging into the turquoise pool on Jan 18. Time begins to run again when the pervading silence transforms into a whirlwind of cheers at the Rockville Municipal Swim Center.

Finn, who won first place in that meet against Wootton High School, remained a tremendous asset to the dive team. At the first meet on Dec 8, her usual but difficult sequence surpassed the team's four-dive record with a score of 159.15.

Her record-breaking achievement came as no surprise to Coach David Swaney. "She's one of the best divers we've seen at Blair in a long time," he says.

Finn placed first in five of seven meets at the beginning of this season. She continues to push her limits, though. Now, Finn is working to perfect the difficult back double dive for post-season.

Finn accidentally tumbled into the sport six years ago. In seventh grade, she was an avid participant in sports-acro, an activity similar to gymnastics. She turned to swimming after recovering from a broken arm and found that the previously developed skills required for tumbling in the gym were useful for her newfound interest—diving.

Fellow divers, especially when looking ahead, agree that Finn is a valuable part of the team. "I expect her to lead the diving team in the future," says senior diver Ilene Arnsdorf.

Finn's skill and attitude impress her Montgomery Diving League coach, Krista Irish, a former Blair diver. "She's an amazing hard worker who is really dedicated and constantly puts a 100-percent effort into everything," explains Irish.

Swaney anticipates astonishing results from Finn as her Blair career progresses, namely more record-breaking dives for the team. "I expect she'll have all the Blair records before she leaves," he says.