Tigers gain experience at prestigious event

~ Central's Thomas was the lone Tigers competitor to score.

MANCHESTER, Mo. -- Central diver Brittney Thomas realized that the Parkway South Invitational swimming meet was going to be a real challenge for herself and the Tigers team.

The meet featured defending state champion Lafayette and nine of the top 13 finishers at last year's state meet. And this year has been a trying one for Central, with numerous pool problems.

Thomas normally practices her diving every weekday, but is on a very irregular schedule this season.

"You just have to go when you can," the senior said. "It can become a mental block if you say you can't do it. You just try to stay positive and say that you can do it."

Thomas was the only Central individual to score, finishing 11th in the diving event Saturday morning.

"I knew that it was going to be difficult, and this was my one chance to compete here," Thomas said. "I had a good practice Friday night, but found myself more nervous coming into this meet. It was pretty intense.

"My main goal is to make it to the state meet, and I didn't accomplish that today. But finishing 11th out of 26 divers is not bad."

Tigers coach Dayna Powell realized what her team was up against in the team's 18th trip to the prestigious event.

"I always called this the mini-state meet," Powell said. "We have had some success here in the past, and had two or three different girls finish as the MVP of the event. But this year we don't have a single state cut yet, and we are going up against most of the best teams in the state."

As would be expected in such a scenario, the Tigers did finish last among the 12 teams, with just 14 points.

"We had some nice swims and bettered some times, and that is all that we can expect from this meet," Powell said. "The girls got to see some mighty fast swimming, and hopefully that will be an inspiration to them."

Lafayette edged Springfield Glendale for the team title at Parkway South.

The Lancers had 242 points while Glendale had 234. The host Patriots were third with 185 points.

Glendale's Dana Sorenson was selected as the MVP of the meet.