Oakton Divers Prevail Over Donaldson Run

The Oakton Otters Divers fought to win out over Arlington’s Donaldson Run on Tuesday evening (July 2) in an NVSL Division 1 dive meet, with a final score of 38 to 34. Oakton’s winning record is 2-1.

Five Oakton divers placed first in their respective categories: Sophia Blanco with a score of 89.00 in Freshman Girls; Tyler Kroopnick with a score of 92.55 in Freshman Boys; Caleb McManus with a score of 141.10 in Intermediate Boys; Isabelle Whang with a score of 210.00 in Senior Girls; and Thibault Lede with a score of 254.50 in Senior Boys. The Otters swept the Senior Boys category (Jon Anthony Montel in second and Brendan Doe in third). The other Otters who placed were: Chloe Sanglier (Freshman Girls, second), Graham Smith (Freshman Boys, third), Simone Wilson (Junior Girls, third), Charlotte Henderson (Intermediate Girls, third), and Kayla Knight (Senior Girls, second).

Freshman Girls diver Sophia Blanco achieved a remarkable feat, scoring a record-breaking 89.00 points. Blanco surpassed Stephanie Weir’s pool record that had stood unbroken for 14 long years (2010).

Likewise, Thibault Lede gave an exceptional performance during Oakton’s home meet with Overlee on June 25. Lede broke the Otter’s Senior Boys record set by Spencer Dearman in 2022 with an incredible 256.30.

Four Otter Divers participated in the 2024 Zone A Championship on June 28-30. Brendan Doe, Isabelle Whang, Sophia Blanco, and Thibault Lede hope to qualify to compete in the 2024 USA Diving Junior National Championship held later this month.

The Oakton Otters face Vienna Woods on Tuesday, July 9 in their fourth meet of the summer season.

Photo by Aser R. Blanco