FEDERAL WAY — For Archbishop Murphy junior diver Reilly Krueger, the third time truly was the charm. After fifth-place finishes as both a sophomore and a freshman, Krueger broke through on Saturday, winning the 2A state diving championship.
Archbishop Murphy dive coach JoLynne Leitzel-Abbe said Krueger’s commitment helped her claim the state championship.
“You have some athletes that you don’t have to do anything to and they just kind of shine,” Leitzel-Abbe said. “She’s one of those kids. She’s gives extra. She comes in after practice. She’s a competitor. She’s self-driven and loves the sport.”
Krueger was joined on the podium by teammates Sierra Bequette and Claire Main, who placed sixth and seventh, respectively. It’s the second year in a row Murphy has had three divers on the podium.
“We work really hard in practice and it’s great to have two amazing teammates by my side,” Krueger said.
Krueger finished with 350.95 points, more than 18 points better than the second-place finisher.
Coming into Saturday’s competition, Leitzel-Abbe said she was hoping for a top-three finish for Krueger.
“You can only take care of yourself.,” Leitzel-Abbe said. “You can’t take care of anyone else that’s diving, so you can’t worry about that. If you stay in your own zone, you should do well.”
Krueger wasn’t the only Wildcat to win a state championship on Saturday. Archbishop Murphy junior Danielle Booth claimed victory in the 100-yard breaststroke, edging Fife’s Meredith Sawer by four-hundredths of a second
“I touched the wall and I was afraid to look back (at the results),” Booth said.
Booth went to Cascade High School as a freshman and sophomore and had never made the finals of any of her events. Not only did she make the finals this year, she won a state championship.
“Coming from there to here and making the ‘A’ finals and becoming a state champion, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Booth said.
Archbishop Murphy swim coach Erin Edmondson was proud of her whole team, but especially her two state champions.
“What they accomplished was absolutely amazing,” Edmondson said. “They came out with goals in mind and they accomplished their goals, if not better than what they had in mind for themselves.”
Booth and Krueger helped the Wildcats place third behind run-away winner Liberty and Sehome.
“We feel amazing,” Edmondson said. “We couldn’t feel any better than that. I’m just so proud of the girls and their accomplishments.”
Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.
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