SECTION 4 GIRLS' DIVING: OWEGO'S KATCHUK WINS 5TH STRAIGHT CLASS B DIVING TITLE, TEAMMATE YOUNG TAKES THIRD (9 PHOTOS) (2024-11-08)

By Brian Fees
Toga County Sports Report
ELMIRA — Friday was the final sectional meet of Kaelyn Katchuk’s career, and the Owego senior made it another special moment.

Katchuk won the Class B title for the fifth straight year. She’s the first diver to win Class B five years straight.

The Owego senior also broke the sectional record with a score of 586.20.

“I’m happy, I’m pleased with how I dove today,” Katchuk said.

Elmira has been a successful venue for Katchuk in her career. She had a sectional record last year, and earlier this year she broke the Section 4 overall record in diving at the Elmira Invite.

“Elmira has a great pool,” Katchuk said. “They have great people working here and the boards are good. So, it’s a good combination to have.”

Winning sectionals adds to Katchuk’s confidence as she prepares for states in two weeks.

“It’s definitely a confidence boost,” she said. “We have two weeks before the state meet, so having a good performance now definitely gives me more confidence going into the state meet.”

This year Class C, B and A all dove together at the same time, where in the past A dove in the afternoon and B and C in the morning.

“I love diving with the Class A divers,” Katchuk said. “They are all great. Diving is such a great community. We all have fun together and I”m glad we got to spend the day together and have fun.”

Diving in a bigger meet like sectionals helps Katchuk prepare for states.

“This meet isn’t as long as the state meet, but it’s pretty close,” Katchuk said. “It gives you preparation for getting used to sitting there for a long period of time and getting cold and it’s also mental preparation.”

This will be the third straight year with states at Webster and that helps Katchuk to be comfortable with the venue.

“Webster is also a really good pool,” Katchuk said. “It will be my third time diving in the state meet there, so I kind of have found out where I like to sit, what I like to do, which gets me into a better routine.”

Katchuk is excited for her last trip to states.

“I am very excited,” she said. “Last state meet, we will see what we do.

The five straight sectional titles is something that Katchuk knows is special.

“I am really grateful to Owego diving program and all the opportunities,” Katchuk said. “I definitely could not have won five titles without my coaches and the team’s support.”

Ayla Young of Owego was third at 494.95. Maine-Endwell’s Madison Morris was second at 566.65. The three also were 1-2-3 overall among all the classes.

“Ayla is such a great teammate,” Katchuk said. “I love diving with her. She’s a lot of fun and it’s been great watching her improve over the years and I’m really proud of her and proud of both of us.”

For Katchuk it will be special to go to states with Young.

“This will be my first time going with a teammate,” Katchuk said. “It’s her first state meet, it’s my fourth, so we will see how this goes.”

While she will be a contender at the state meet, the place she gets at states isn’t as important to Katchuk as doing her best.

“I don’t think about it in terms of place,” Katchuk said. “If I dive as well as I can dive I’ll be happy with whatever place I get.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.


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