“That was an awesome dive. Beautiful. Beautiful.”
These were the words coming out of the mouth of MSU diving coach John Narcy as he watched his two National Championship-bound divers, senior Carly Weiden and junior Summer Mitchell, practice Wednesday at the IM Sports-West outdoor pool.
The 2001 U.S. Outdoor National Championships will be held Aug. 7-12 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The championship will be special for Narcy, who will be presented the Fred A. Cady Award.
“I’m honored. It’s so great to have my peers think so much of me and what I’ve done here during my 36 years at the university,” Narcy said. “It’s very humbling.
“I’m sitting on top of the world right now.”
The award acknowledges coaches for their achievement and dedication. Coaches eligible for the award include those who have developed an Olympic silver or bronze medal-winner, coached a first, second or third place winner at the U.S. championships and have received achievements during a period of 25 years.
For Weiden and Mitchell, this is a great opportunity. But it’s also great to have their coach honored for the time and effort he puts in.
“I think it’s a pretty cool award and he really deserves it. He puts in the extra time and really pushed me to be my best,” Weiden said. “Without him I wouldn’t be here.”
Mitchell echoed those remarks.
“He deserves every bit of it. I couldn’t have done it without him. I love him,” she said.
The two divers have earned several accolades this season. Both divers were named 2001 Co-Big Ten Divers of the year and were Big Ten Champions. It is also the first time two divers have qualified for the summer National Championships.
They will each compete in the 1-meter and 3-meter events, as well as a synchronized dive. There will be 10 dives at the 1-meter height, five at the 3-meter height, and five synchronized.
“I’ve been practicing pretty much all summer, twice a day since school ended,” Weiden said. “I’m pretty excited to be going to nationals.
And since Weiden sprained her ankle last year in the qualifying meet, her goal this year is to be in the top six and make the National Team.
“These are the best girls in the nation, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
Mitchell is excited to be going to nationals as well and is glad to be going with her teammate.
“I love having Carly as a partner. We motivate each other and hang out together,” she said. “It was really exciting when we both walked out co-champions of the Big Ten. We both deserved it.”
Narcy, who said he is very proud of his divers, expects them to do well.
“They work, that’s the secret,” he said. “They have been training year-round and now they are getting a reward.”
And while Narcy said he only has a couple of years left before he retires, he has no regrets.
“I’ve had a great run,” he said.
