Deerfield diver Purdy heads to state after super-tough sectional

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Deerfield's Erin Purdy, seen here winning the CSL North diving title, too third in Saturday's sectional. She will be competing in the state meet this weekend. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media

Updated: December 18, 2011 8:55AM

Deerfield High School senior diver Erin Purdy was ordered to do something before her 11th, and final dive, at Saturday morning’s Glenbrook South Sectional in Glenview.

But the command did not come from her coach, Doug Foerch.

Junior teammate Christine Stitcher, a sectional-meet rookie, delivered it to Purdy, a state-meet veteran.

“Erin,” Stitcher said behind a board, “wow the crowd.”

Ordered.

Obeyed.

Purdy nailed her reverse 1-and-a-half with a half-twist, earning two 7.5s and two 7s. The Warrior blew away the finalists in the final round (dives 9-11) but settled for third place (433.45) and an at-large state berth.

New Trier’s Caroline Grant (468.5) and North Shore Country Day’s Juliette Corboy (465.4) went 1-2.

How strong was Saturday’s sectional diving field?

Strong enough that the last two who failed to make the final cut, after eight dives, might have qualified for State had they been allowed to compete their final three dives.

“Of the top five divers in the state,” Foerch said, “three, maybe four, are here. You could place fourth here and win State next weekend.”

New Trier junior Olivia Loucks placed fourth (419.25) on Saturday.

Or a few points better than Stitcher’s fifth-place, and career-best, total (state-qualifying 416.15).

Purdy’s superb prep career will end this weekend.

Her college career will begin next fall, at the University of North Carolina.

Purdy – third at State last fall and fifth in 2009 — verbally committed to plunging for the Tar Heels earlier this month.

“I love everything about North Carolina,” Purdy said. “It has a great diving program.”

But the program’s coach, Kevin Lawrence, plans to leave UNC in the spring. He accepted a Peace Corps assignment, beginning in April.

“I know they’ll find a good coach to replace him,” Purdy said.

Purdy has been serving her current coach as a PE leader at school. She takes attendance, referees games.

And, at times, plays games.

She’s played tennis and soccer during PE classes.

“She strained a calf in tennis,” Foerch said. “I told her, ‘Hey, Erin, you need to take it easy.’ ”

Purdy, a fierce competitor, has no idea what that means.

Foerch had no idea Purdy had been a serious club soccer player before she started majoring in diving.

“I watched her play soccer in class one day and I remember thinking, ‘She’s pretty good,’ ” Foerch recalled. “She can shoot, dribble … she’s got it all going for her in soccer.”

Diving (faking an injury), in soccer, annoys spectators.

Purdy plans to have a ball, in diving, at her final state meet.

Stitcher, for one, can’t wait to be wowed.

Again.

“Erin doesn’t let anything rattle her,” said Stitcher. “She’s helped me so much, especially with my nerves; she calms me down. She’s like a coach.

“I’ve learned so much from her.”

State diving prelims start Friday morning at New Trier.

Ranks: Purdy, based on her sectional score, ranks sixth among all state qualifiers; Stitcher is No. 12.

Quote-worthy: “She has become a super leader this year, and she’s matured considerably — as a diver and as a person. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her better this year. Our relationship is evolving, and that’s helping both of us.” — Foerch, on Purdy.