Faith Anderson EAST PALESTINE, GIRLS DIVING

April 2, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

Winter Athletes of the Year

All of the top high school athletes in basketball, swimming/diving, wrestling, and bowling.

Gymnastics’ loss was diving’s gain, in the case of East Palestine High School senior Faith Anderson. Her first experience with a high diving board came when she was 8 and her gymnastics club had a party at Applewood Swim Club in Boardman.

“I would spend the whole three hours in line for [the high dive],” Anderson said.

Fear wasn’t a factor — “I’ve always been willing to try new things.”

An elbow injury led to her decision to give up gymnastics. Diving became her passion. “The competition has become better and better,” she said.

She recently competed at her fourth consecutive Division II state championship, finishing sixth in the state. Anderson said state was intimidating as a freshman.

“Sophomore year was my first time making the finals, that was my goal,” she said. “This year, it was a question of whether I was going to hit the podium.”

The top eight divers receive podium recognition. Anderson’s career isn’t over — she has a scholarship to attend James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

“It was so beautiful,” Anderson said. “I fell in love with it instantly.”

She plans to major in forensic psychology.

“I hope one day to be with the FBI,” she said.

Her favorite teacher was Deborah Madsen, who taught her sophomore English class.

“I loved her from the start,” Anderson said. “We became really close and I still hang out in her classroom.”

She credits her high school coach, Ron Navarra, who also coaches for Youngstown Area Diving Academy.

“He’s been the biggest supporter, he’s always believed in me,” Anderson said. .”

—Tom Williams