Junior Katherine Welsh finished her second year coaching the boys diving team, assisting the leading coach. Welsh herself dives all year round and has transferred her passion into volunteer work. She has been swimming since sixth grade; this year will be her sixth year. In the fall season, Welsh dives with the Sparks, the SPA swim team partnered with Highland. Volunteering has helped her realize the coaches’ frustrations and has helped her gain a more comprehensive view of her diving. The boys and girls coaches overlap; while the boy’s coach left and a new coach was brought in, Welsh took the role of helping to transition the new coach to their position.

The volunteer work consists of making sure they stretch and give corrections when swimming. She stays there for the two-hour-practices and attends all their meets. The ages range from seventh grade to seniors. There are only four boys on the swim team, the majority being Highland students. During the winter season, Welsh balanced coaching diving with continuing her club season practices. She has had to leave early to get to her practices. When her diving season is at the peak, she does not need to coach as much, but she still is committed to the coaches. Welsh said, “I honestly just thought it would be fun, and I really liked the coach we had last year.”

If interested in more details on the boys diving team, visit their team page and season meets here.