Bateman, Tolley head over heels in love with diving

MOSES LAKE — Her time management skills are almost as impressive as her degree of difficulty. But it’s that balancing act that makes Moses Lake senior Bethany Bateman a top contender to return to the 4A WIAA State Swim and Dive Championships at Weyerhauser King County Aquatics Center in November.

Between cheerleading practice, diving practice, school, and a little time left over to share her common knowledge with diving mate, Lauren Tolley, well let’s just say her degree of difficulty hinges on a lot of moving parts.

“It was pretty rare that Bethany qualified for state last year as a first-year diver. But her background with gymnastics and cheerleading gives her that body awareness,” Chiefs diving coach Brett Hammond said. “She just needed to learn the dives.”

It’s game-on for Bateman and Tolley this weekend at the 4A District 6 swimming and diving championships at Tony St. Onge Pool of Dreams. Only the top two divers from District 6 will advance to the Weyerhauser King County Aquatics Center Nov. 9-10.

“Bethany’s so much better. Last year she was just learning the dives. Where this year, she’s learning the finesse,” Hammond said. “Lauren was a first-year diver last season that did make the top 8 in the district. The top two qualify, but we went as low as five last year with wild cards, so she almost made it.

“Lauren has really improved because she went to diving camps this summer and gotten a lot stronger. Where last year she was just barely making the dive. This year because she’s so much stronger, she overthrows. We’re trying to get her used to her developing muscles.”

Bateman finished 18th in her first ever 4A state meet with 128 points. Live and learn says the junior, who was a part of the Moses Lake coed cheerleading squad that won its second state championship and competed in Orlando.

“Diving at state was amazing, competing against the best of the state last year really inspired me.” Bateman said. “It’s all mental. It’s all about believing in yourself. You set it up and you trust your training.

“Landing is really important. On the front dives you land with your hands first. Back dives your feet are going in first, but in the end going in straight is what you’re trying to do. The approach sets up the whole dive. If you don’t hit it just right it’s like stumbling over the first hurdle (in track). But when you do everything right it … ”

Her voice trailed off, “when you do everything right,” nothing more needed to be said. It’s that time when the approach sets up the bounce, the tuck, the twist, the dive all falls into place.

“You know before you even break the water (coming back up),” she said, it’s all smiles when ya nail it.

For Tolley, it’s about trusting the training and there’s no changing up on game day what you haven’t prepared for all week. Not so much a one trick pony as it is not deviating from the game plan.

“It’s all about practice and training. You want to make sure you’re touching all the bases. The point is consistency,” she said. “I really like the challenge and learning new moves. Sometimes you’re not sure, but you go for it and it all works out.

“I can’t even describe what that feels like it’s so good.”

The thing about swimming, is that if you miss a stroke or miss a turn, it’s not as obvious as when you’re standing on the board with all eyes on. They need a gambler’s resolve and a trust in the training.

“A lot of girls on our swim team tried out for dive this year and most of them did not have the mental strength to try the dive,” Hammond said. “You have to have resolve to try the dive.”

Bateman and Tolley live for the moment when it’s just you, the board, the water and a couple hundred sets of eyes watching.

The District 6 meet starts on Thursday and concludes at 11 a.m. on Championship Saturday at the Tony St. Onge Pool of Dreams.