Springdale Diving Duo Among State's Best

Two Springdale divers are certainly making names for themselves and making a big splash at the same time. Sarah Chewning, a 15-year-old sophomore at Springdale High, showed a glimpse of her immense talents by easily winning the high school state championship last year on the 1 meter diving platform. In the 1-meter platform event, Chewning set a record with a score of 460.60, besting Little Rock Parkview's Hillary Keeton's 1998 record of 426.05. Chewning dives at both 3 meters and 1 meter at the national level, finishing third and fourth, respectively, at the 2008 USA Diving Speedo Junior National Championship. Chewning dives at both 3 meters and 1 meter at the national level, finishing third and fourth, respectively at the 2008 USA Diving Speedo Junior National Championships. Along with Chewning, 16-year-old Har-Ber High sophomore diver Courtney Atherton has also proven to be a top-notch competitor. Atherton managed an impressive third place finish in the high school state meet a year ago. Both Chewning and Atherton have been diving competitively for a number of years, but they actually began their athletic careers pursuing other interests. "I started in gymnastics when I was five," Chewning said. "But, I got out of it when I was 10. I told my mom I wanted to try diving. She found a flyer (about a diving class) and I did that for a week. "When I was learning to swim, my instructors would also teach me how to dive and they told me I was pretty good at it." Atherton, meanwhile, says "I've always done sports. I've done swimming most of my life." These up and coming youth divers are currently being tutored by Howard Reich, whose son Scott previously served as the Arkansas Razorbacks' diving coach. The younger Reich actually coached Chewning and Atherton before his dad took over three years ago. The elder Reich believes these two young ladies have a world of potential. "There's no doubt that Sarah could get a scholarship to go anywhere she wants to go (as a collegiate diver)," Reich said. "She has the capability to be a national champion and make the Olympics in four or five years. "She works hard at what she is doing. She is very controlled. She is very acrobatic. She has all the gymnastics moves, which really helps her. Her entries are almost flawless." As for Atherton, Reich says that she "is doing really well. She is a very strong girl and a very capable diver. Her basics are outstanding." Overall, Reich lauds both girls for their "outstanding form. They flow through the air so nicely." They both may have all the natural tools to be big-time successes. At the same time, though, they recognize there's much more to it than that. "I think that my coaches have taught me the basics pretty well," Chewning said. "But, it has also taken a lot of hard work and concentration. Atherton adds that "it takes a lot of practice and strengthening work. We have to practice two or three times a week for a couple of hours each day." Of course it helps that they are able to hold each other accountable. "Diving together is going to help them because they will be competing against each other," Reich insists. Chewning and Atherton concur with Reich on his assessment about them being able to feed off of each other. "We push each other and encourage each other," Chewning said. Atherton also points out that "we're really good friends so it's easy to be encouraging to each other." This terrific tandem obviously has a great deal of reason to be encouraged by each other's feats as well as their own accomplishments thus far. As for what the future holds for both, it appears as though the sky is the limit for them.