Diving coach Phil Barr will hit NCAA D2 nationals before retreating to Meadowlake golf
CANTON − Wednesday was a swan song for Stark County's best girls diver and a longtime coach.
Jackson senior Emmalie Mitzel wrapped up her high school career by placing seventh in the OHSAA Division I girls diving championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium.
It was the last meet for coach Phil Barr, who worked with Mitzel, GlenOak senior Maya Bautista and numerous other divers in recent decades.
"I've been doing this for 25 years, and a lot of kids are graduating," Barr said. "It's time to bow out."
Many area divers have come through Barr's Hall of Fame Diving Academy, including Jackson seniors Levi Hellmann and Andon Haines, who placed in the top 10 in Tuesday's boys state finals. Another pupil, former Jackson diver Zach Schering, is an All-America diver at Clarion University, where he is setting records as a junior.
Former GlenOak diving standout Sherrie Kimble will continue with the academy, assisted by former Jackson diver Erin Steiner.
"I will be involved in diving in some way," said Barr, 61. "A lot of memories come back about different things, but this is a great way to end my career as a coach. I couldn't ask for a better group of kids to be coaching.
"It's a time to remember all the state qualifiers I've had … how we fought our way to get to the top over the years."
Barr will be a diving judge at the NCAA Division II national diving competition at Spire, in Geneva, Ohio, on March 12. He will continue as owner-operator of Meadowlake Golf and Swim Club.
Mitzel made a big leap to the awards podium Wednesday after placing 18th in last year's state diving meet.
Isabella Pfeil of Avon Lake won with 454.35 points, followed by Makenna Mincey of Magnificat (438.90), Augusta Ness of Olentangy Orange (435.05), Sofia Frangos of Pickerington (422.80), Madison Vermillion of Upper Arlington 419.20) and Mia Nazarenus of Bellbrook (409.50).
The gap from seventh place to 16th place was a tight 394.30 to 375.40, and it was Mitzel earning the 394.30 to take seventh place. Mitzel finished strong, passing five divers after the cut following semifinals.
"She was real steady, right on spot," Barr said. "We adjusted her dive list and she did a good job with it. Her composure was great."
GlenOak's Bautista and Green senior Landry Torres competed in the 32-diver field but did not make the cut to 16.
In the Division II state finals conducted earlier Wednesday, Samantha Holtz of Chagrin Falls won with 495.5 points, followed by two divers from Napoleon, Mara Cashman (444.90) and Eila Bortselman (398.10).
This article originally appeared on The Repository: High school diving coach Phil Barr retires at OHSAA state meet
