Glenwood Springs’ Libby Claassen named top 3A diver in state
Glenwood Springs High School senior Libby Claassen, fresh off her third-place showing in the 1-meter diving competition at state earlier this month, has been named the state’s Class 3A diver of the year.
The honor is bestowed by a vote of 3A head coaches in the state and awarded by the Colorado High School Activities Association.
It’s extra special for Claassen, who has been coached for all four years of her high school diving career by her mother, Lara Claassen, a former competitive diver herself.
Daughter Libby said diving was definitely one of the highlights of her high school experience.
“It taught me so many things about pushing through fear of new dives, maintaining focus and how to keep composure during competition,” she said. “I was always curious about diving because it had been such a big part of my mom’s life growing up and through college, and now it was something that we could share together. I hope one day that I might have a daughter and can teach her to dive, too.”
Lara Claassen commended both Libby and fellow senior Abby Scruton on a successful season. The diving combo of Claassen and Scruton went undefeated during the conference season, before finishing 3-4 at state.
That helped the GSHS girls swim and dive team to a third-place overall team finish in the state competition.
“What made this more meaningful for me as a coach was the fact that when they were freshmen, neither one of them had any diving experience,” Claassen said. “When I was watching them at state and remembering where we started, I just couldn’t believe the growth they had in the sport over these four years.
“It was so rewarding for me as a coach to see these young women turn into such beautiful divers and such fierce competitors.”
Something in particular clicked for Libby this season that had proven to be difficult last season, and even took it to another level, the coach said.
“She made a huge leap forward with her diving in both degree of difficulty and her ability to maintain her focus in meets,” she said. “The girls really encouraged and supported each other throughout these last four years, which created such a positive and healthy environment for both of them to continue to learn and grow as athletes.”
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