Aycock's Hall captures 1-meter diving event

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 21, 2011 1:47 PM

• Print
• Email

Devin Hall entered Thursday afternoon's diving competition with two goals -- get better and score higher.

He accomplished both.

The Charles B. Aycock freshman, who says he's "learning on the fly," scored 285 points to claim the 1-meter portion of a swim meet contested at the B.G. Darden Natatorium inside the Goldsboro Family Y.

"I completed a lot of dives that I just learned," said Hall. "I felt good up in the air and in the water, there was a lot less splash. I had more practices in (for today) than the first meet I was in."

Southern Wayne's Jacob Sasser took second with 248 points.

"I feel pretty good, even though I messed up on a couple of dives," said Sasser, who returned later in the evening to help the Saints claim the 400 free relay.

"I could have done better ... was nervous because this is my first 11-dive meet and it's my first year diving competitively on that big board. Hopefully, I can do better next time."

The duo started a dominating effort recorded by Wayne County swimmers before next week's regular-season finale.

Aycock's girls swept the relays and compiled a team-best 133 points. Junior Bryce Connolly and sprinter Savannah Sauls each emerged victorious in two individual events to help the Golden Falcons' cause. The twosome swam on the winning 200 medley and 200 free relays along with Taylor Bradshaw and Kylie Robertson.

The quartet of Kristin Leak, Sydney Waters, Jade Creel and Alexus Lemasters completed the sweep with a victory in the 400 free relay.

Eastern Wayne's Heather Black captured first in the 100 free and touched the wall second behind Triton's Molly Dunbar in the 200 individual medley (IM). Fellow Warrior Victoria Mashburn finished runner-up in the 50 free and 500 free. Lily Boyette was second in the 100 backstroke.

Southern Wayne's foursome of Savanna Brown, Taylor Pate, Hunter Mozingo and Brittani Overman took second in the 400 free relay.

Rosewood's Jessica Mitchell and Dakota Hersey ended up third and fourth, respectively, in the 50 free. Goldsboro's Kristen Hudleston was sixth in the 200 free, while teammate Heather Wurtele touched the wall in eighth.

On the boys' side, the Saints claimed the team portion with 100 points. The quartet of Sasser, Dylan Atwood, Chad Davis and Christian Newberry took the 400 free relay in 4:04.47. The group has already qualified for the eastern regionals, scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Y.

Goldsboro emerged the winner in eight events.

The Cougars' foursome of Darion Marks, Travis Paul, Logan Cole and Steven Morton won the 200 medley and 200 free relays. Marks touched the wall first in the 50 free and 200 IM. Cole won the 100 fly and 100 breaststroke, while Paul took the 500 free.

Aycock's Sam Chastain won the 100 backstroke.

Eastern Wayne's top swimmers were Andrew Green, Ty Schmeltzer, Henry Joseph, Sean O'Connell, Willie Smith and Tim Cooper. The Warriors finished third in the 400 free relay.