Deerfield’s Purdy claims state diving title

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Deerfield's Erin Purdy hugs coach Doug Foerch after winning the state diving title on Saturday at New Trier High School. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: December 25, 2011 8:22AM

Divers hate to be “off,” even a little.

But Deerfield High School senior Erin Purdy was exactly that on Saturday — memory-wise.

“Freshman year, at State, I finished … 21st-ish, I think,” said the Warrior at the girls state swimming and diving meet at New Trier.

Purdy finished 20th in diving in 2008.

Her day, off a diving board, on Saturday: “on.”

First-place “on.”

Purdy topped the field with a 405.95-point effort, well ahead of runner-up Kaitlyn Neiheisel (382.15) of Lincoln-Way West.

The last Warrior to capture a state diving title was Christina Loukas, who won three straight (2001-03) IHSA championships and competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.

Doug Foerch coached Loukas at DHS in 2002-03.

He guided North Carolina-bound Purdy this fall.

“These past two days,” said Foerch, “it was easy coaching Erin. Really easy.”

Purdy’s results at State, after that 20th-place showing as a freshman: 5th, 3rd and 1st.

Odd, times three.

But Purdy’s even-keeled ways helped her overcome a somewhat shaky first dive in Saturday’s finals. Purdy, in first place after eight dives (282.05) in Friday morning’s prelims session, rolled too much at the end of her entry on dive No. 9.

She received a few 4.5s.

“It happens,” Purdy said. “I didn’t freak out.”

Foerch, almost immediately after Purdy climbed out of the pool, neared his charge and said, “You still got this!”

Purdy agreed.

And it showed in her final two dives, particularly her final (No. 11) plunge: a reverse 1-and-a-half with a half twist (from a free position). Dive 11 has a degree of difficulty of 2.2.

Not easy, not way too tough.

But nobody else in the state throws it, and it usually impresses judges, other divers and spectators.

“It’s different, plus it’s visually appealing,” said Foerch. “It’s got pizzazz. It wows people. It wows ’em because Erin, during the dive, goes out, then comes back toward the board. In between, she twists.

“The dive,” he added, “grabs people, grabs their attention.”

Purdy earned some sturdy 7s and 7.5s on the dive.

There was no doubt, at that point, who’d climb a podium to bow for a gold medal minutes later.

“What I’m feeling now feels really good,” Purdy said after posing for a group photo with the other 11 diving finalists. “I’d worked really hard. The hard work … it paid off.”

Purdy had entered her final state meet as the sixth seed, six spots ahead of junior teammate Christine Stitcher, who placed 18th (159.25) at her first state meet.

Purdy liked her seed.

“It was nice not being the favorite,” she said.

“I like going after people,” added the one who finished ahead of everybody else.

Diver dandies: It’s a Lake County thing.

During the past 15 years, competitors from Lake County schools have 10 state diving titles. In addition to Purdy and Loukas, the champions list includes Stevenson’s Kerrin Seymour (2006 and 2009), Mundelein’s Lucy Hirt (2004), Barrington’s Sara Hershman (1999), Stevenson’s Jessie Mowrer (1998) and Barrington’s Liz Olsen (1997). Runner-up finishes went to Loukas (2000) and Lake Forest’s Mallory Mulladay (2005) while Seymour was fourth in 2007.