White determined to reach state meet

By Josh North, This Week News

It could be said that Ashley White was born to be a diver.

"I think diving sort of found me," she said. "My mother has coached since I was a baby and I've been around it my whole life."

White, a senior on the Big Walnut High School girls swimming and diving team, started in the sport when she was 6 years old and has developed into one of central Ohio's top divers. She placed seventh in the Division I district meet last season, falling three spots shy of advancing to state, after placing ninth as a sophomore.

White's mother, Jennifer, is a certified USA Diving coach who serves as a volunteer coach for Big Walnut and coaches the divers at Olentangy, Olentangy Liberty, and Olentangy Orange.

In addition, she serves as developmental lead coach for the Ohio State Diving Club, with whom Ashley trains in the offseason.

In November, Ashley signed with Bowling Green State University, becoming the first diver in school history to receive an athletic scholarship. Her mother also went to Bowling Green, where she lettered in diving and cross country.

"I had my heart set on Bowling Green," Ashley said. "It was important that I get that out of the way so that I can focus on my last season here."

The season hasn't gone completely according to plan thus far for White, who missed two weeks of practice and one meet after being diagnosed with pneumonia. She said a "disappointing" second-place finish (203.25 points) to Olentangy Liberty's Morgan Menninger (221.25) in the Delaware County Classic on Dec. 20 was a result of her illness.

Still, White remains focused on getting to state for the first time. Two of the area's four state qualifiers a year ago -- three-time state champion Olivia Ball of Liberty and Olentangy's Colleen McHugh -- graduated, opening the door for others at district on Feb. 16 at Columbus School for Girls.

"Many divers are coming for that fourth spot this year," White said. "I look forward to the challenge and doing my best when the day comes."

Because the swimming and diving program receives limited funding from Big Walnut, during the season White isn't able to practice as much as some of her competitors.

"It's a big challenge because we have to pay to get our time in the pool," she said. "I practice on Sunday nights and Tuesday nights but have to work outside of the pool for the rest of the week."

To help offset having limited pool time, White and her mother find innovative ways to hone her diving skills.

"I work with several forms of what we call 'dry-land conditioning' to help get the job done," White said. "We have trampoline exercises, stretching and weight-lifting."

Through the Ohio State Diving Club, White has had opportunities to compete against other area divers and get to know them on a personal level.

"She doesn't get to (compete against) the other top divers very often, but when she does, she takes full advantage of it," coach White said. "Central Ohio is such a tough place to dive and she works her tail off to be with the best."