BROWNSBURG, Ind. – It may have taken two days to complete the Brownsburg Diving Regional, but Centerville’s Jonathan Jellison finally qualified for this weekend’s state finals at the IUPUI Natatorium.
“Jonathan was almost certainly the most consistent diver in the meet,” Centerville Head Coach Darren Ridenour said. “He had eleven out of eleven dives that were at or above his best.”
Jellison finished sixth on Wednesday with 425.40 points as the top eight advance. The competition began on Tuesday, but it was postponed due to a fire at the school.
“He needed to be at his very best too because the divers at this regional are so strong,” Ridenour said. “One bad dive would have put him out of the top eight.”
The state finals get underway in Indianapolis on Friday with the prelims in the pool. The meet resumes on Saturday at 9 a.m.
“It is certainly a testament to the preparation Jonathan put in this season, especially the last three or four weeks,” Ridenour said. “He has developed a confidence in each one of his dives that allows him to make highly detailed adjustments. Those adjustments helped propel him into the top eight and qualify for state.”
Jellison is the third boy from Centerville to qualify for the state meet.
Brett Stoughton finished 14th in the 100 Butterfly in 2013. He also made the field in the 200 IM in 2012 and 2013. Cody Watts qualified as a diver in 2010 and 2011.
“Diving coach Brad Whited and I are so proud and happy for him,” Ridenour said. “We are all very excited about Jonathan’s opportunity at the State Meet on Saturday.
The sophomore was the top underclassman in the field on Wednesday as he placed behind five seniors, including the defending state champ Richmond’s Isaac Khamis, who won the event.