MAKING A SPLASH: Freshman diver Hill excelling in pool

The former gymnast said the similarities between that sport and diving have helped.

By Jon Moffett

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YSU freshman diver Casey Hill

YOUNGSTOWN — Casey Hill is hoping to create a lot of attention at Youngstown State by making as small a splash as possible.

The freshman diver has created quite a stir in the YSU pool.

At the Penguins’ annual diving invitational on Feb. 7, Hill captured a first- and second-place finish in the one-meter and three-meter dives, respectively. She was also named Horizon League Diver of the Week earlier this month.

Nick Gavolas, Hill’s diving coach, said the Bethlehem, Pa., native has brought a sense of winning to the team.

“We used to dominate our conference, and the last couple of years, we’ve really been on the back side of it,” Gavolas said. “But I think this year we’re going to head back toward the front again, and that’s a plus for recruiting in the future.”

Hill said she’s just getting used to life as a college diver.

“It’s kind of had its ups and downs,” Hill said. “Overall, I’m still trying to get used to the environment — new coach, new board, new pool, everything — but overall, I’d say it’s been a pretty successful season.”

A former gymnast of 10 years, Hill said her former craft was beneficial to her because of the similarities between the two.

““Well, they’re very similar in some ways, but in other ways, they’re quite different,” she said. “The twisting and flipping are the same.”

But that, Hill said, is about where the similarities end.

“In gymnastics, the point is to land on your feet, obviously, and you want to be far away from the equipment,” she said laughing. “But with diving, you want to be as close [to the diving board] as you can without hitting it, and you’re trying to land on your head.”

“Also with gymnastics, it’s more power, while this is more grace,” she said.

Hill said her decision to quit gymnastics at age 13 was in part because “if you haven’t made it to the Olympics by age 13, you’re never going to make it.”

But Hill said she wanted to remain active and took up diving, which she enjoyed.

While attending Liberty High in Bethlehem, Hill was the only diver on the swim team, she said. The team was also coed, she said.

“Going from that, it’s a little different,” she said. “But I think it makes the team a little bit closer. They’ll sit out and watch and cheer for me. I like it because they’re all supportive.”

Gavolas said he has seen a substantial difference between Hill’s recruitment tape and her performances this season.

“She’s stronger, number one,” he said. “And the dives she’s doing are a lot harder, and she’s doing them really well, especially for a freshman and someone who has just learned them.”

While Hill has avoided making big splashes, there have been some waves this season.

Gavolas said a difference in attitude has created some minor headaches between student and teacher — albeit manageable bumps.

“It has been exciting, but it’s also been frustrating at times,” he said with a laugh. “Casey is a perfectionist and I’m a little bit more laid back than that. We clash heads every now and again.”

Hill dismissed the claims and noted she’s only trying to etch her place in YSU history.

“I definitely want to break the records up there on the wall,” she said pointing to the board hanging above the diving boards in the Beeghly Center. “And I also want to be an NCAA finalist.”

The exercise-science major achieved a 3.8 grade point average last semester.

And if Hill’s diving can match her studies, her goals should hold water.

jmoffett@vindy.com