On Friday, Feb. 9, the boys varsity and junior varsity competed against six teams in the North Suburban Conference (NSC) Championship. The Stevenson Patriots, Lake Forest Scouts, Mundelein Mustangs, Warren Township Blue Devils, Waukegan Bulldogs and Zion-Benton Zee-Bees rounded out the competition.

Coming into the meet, Mundelein, Lake Forest and Stevenson were the teams to look out for. But Coach David Fowler found the boys’ “work commitment” to be a key factor that led to their success.

Seniors Charlie Watson and Jake Gimbert took home first and second place respectively for the JV competition after six rounds of diving.

“It’s my first year,” Watson said, “and going out there against some experienced divers and coming out with a win was fun.”

For varsity, sophomore Hayden Cook received second place overall with a score of 418.05 after 11 rounds of diving and will be heading to sectionals next Saturday, Feb. 17.

“I expect better competition [at sectionals],” Cook said. “It’s gonna be really hard. [But] I’m excited.”

Coach Fowler, like the rest of the team, hopes that Hayden will make it through sectionals and qualify for the state meet if he dives like he did today.

“For sectionals next week, I expect great things out of the Wildcats,” Watson said. “Hayden Cook is going to do great there. He has a good chance of winning it… [He] has a lot of potential.”

Cook and Watson said they would both consider diving in college.

“I would go for a scholarship,” Cook said. “I would definitely dive. But it’s a fun sport. [It’s] something I’m good at.”

Watson, also a varsity lacrosse player, said that “if you’re thinking of diving, I say you should do it. It’s a great sport, keeps you limber [and] keeps you in shape. And it’s just a lot of fun.

Sophomore Hayden Cook starts off strong for the team, executing a forward dive 1 ½ pike and receiving scores of 6.5, 7.0, 6.5, 6.0 and 7.0 during the first round. Cook qualified for sectionals on Saturday, Feb. 17.

JV diver and senior Charlie Watson performs a forward dive 1 ½ tuck, receiving scores of 5.5, 6.0, 5.5, 5.5 and 5.5.

JV diver and senior Jake Gimbert executes an inward pike, receiving scores of 5.0, 5.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 5.0.

Varsity diver and sophomore Hayden Cook executes a back 1 ½ flip, receiving scores of 6.0, 5.0, 5.5, 5.0 and 5.5 during the tenth round. Overall, Cook received second place, winning a silver medal and punching his ticket to sectionals.