0
0
Senior Lily Witte celebrates her final year on the DHS Women’s Swim and Dive team with her many amazing accomplishments
WRITTEN BY EMMA BISHOP
Four years, four D2 first place State medals, and a bronze medal at Junior World for diving. With these accomplishments, senior Lily Witte is described as one of the best athletes ever to wear the Dexter D.
Witte has been diving since she was six years old. She says the reason she kept diving was loving and enjoying the sport and having very encouraging teammates and coaches.
“They are the people I train with every day and are always so much fun to be around,” she said.
On top of having a great team, Witte’s sister, Lauren, has also had an effect on her career.
“[Lauren] has always been there to encourage and support me,” Witte said.
Now, she’s the top diver in the state.
During the Dexter swim and dive season, Witte practices her dives; afterward, she goes to her club practices.
“It was a bit challenging at times, especially with morning practice as well, but I always enjoyed doing it,” she said.
Witte goes to morning swim practice and lifting every day as well as club and afternoon practices when she’s in season.
Still, she has a great attitude and was described as an amazing leader by her teammates.
“I felt like I could tell her anything,” freshman Alison Genske said. “She was super supportive. She felt more like a friend than a captain.”
On top of all Witte’s extracurriculars around Dexter, she goes to plenty of diving competitions across the state and country such as States and Junior World.
At States, she placed first in each of her four years of high school, breaking her old record each year. In her freshman year, she scored 468.40, and Recently during her senior year, she scored her new record of 554.65. She also recently won bronze in her age group of 17 at Junior World.
While she’s away at these competitions winning golds and bronzes, sometimes it’s easy to forget she’s still a student and has to do her schoolwork.
“My teachers have always worked well with me,” Witte said. “As long as I stay up on my homework while I am gone, it isn’t too difficult.”
Witte verbally committed to go to Indiana University in December of 2021.
“Along with having great academics, I really like the coach and the team, and it’s overall the best fit,” she said.
Her coach, Jake Burris, said Witte’s dedication to the school and sport is one of a kind.
“As long as [athletes like Lily are] putting their mind to it, they’re gonna succeed everywhere else.”
COACHING THE BEST: Dive coach Jake Burris has an amazing first year coaching and connecting with the divers. Photo courtesy of Lily Witte.
BORN TO DIVE: Senior Lily Witte diving at one of her many home meets this year. Photo courtesy of Ryan Maki.
