RIVERSIDE – Camryn Hidalgo spotted one of her coaches after scoring five perfect 10s at the CIF-SS Division 1 diving finals but didn’t show a hint of excitement.
The Capistrano Valley sophomore looked intently Tuesday for corrections and a tip for her next dive.
“I know that wasn’t my best,” she said of her stellar, back dive pike on the 3-meter springboard. “There’s always things you can improve on.”
Hidalgo’s drive served her well as she defended her title with a season-best score of 588.80 points at Riverside City College. The Mission Viejo Nadadores’ junior national champion outdistanced Carly Souza of West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch (564.55) and Haley Farnsworth of San Clemente (527.15).
She flashed her smile in the post-meet ceremonies.
“Overall, I thought I did pretty solid,” Hidalgo said. “I had one miss on one dive.”
Related: CIF Division 1, 4 diving results
Dana Hills freshman Jake Greenberg captured the Division 1 boys title with season-best 602.60 while Fairmont Prep freshman Michelle Lee used a pair of late 10s to finish second in Division 4. Lee scored 497.65 points to emerge as a state meet contender.
Hidalgo said she slipped off the 3-meter springboard in the 10th round on her forward 1½-somersault with twist. She averaged about a 6.0 score for the dive, which kept her from brushing closer to Allison Brennan’s 2001 Division 1 record of 621.65.
Hidalgo still racked up the highest Division 1 girls score since 2008 thanks to 10 perfect 10s. True to form, she will continue to push herself at the upcoming U.S. trials in Indiana for the FINA World Championships.
“I need to get on track and get to more big meets so I can get into my game-mode more,” said Hidalgo, who will miss Saturday’s state meet qualifier.
Greenberg displayed a maturity beyond his years. The Crown Valley club member executed a list with some of the highest degree of difficulty in the small, 12-diver field. He averaged scores of just over 8.0 to outdistance club teammates Caleb Dixon of San Clemente (544.30) and Christopher LaBella of Dana Hills (525.50).
Greenberg’s composure showed in the 10th round as he scored two 8.0s on a back 2½-somersault pike on the 3-meter. The dive carried a 3.0 degree of difficulty.
“(Coach) Curt (Wilson) has really been pushing me the last two weeks,” Greenberg said. “Just throw it all out there.”
Greenberg combined with LaBella and fellow freshman Scott Phaneuf (sixth place) to rack up 55 points for the Dolphins.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
