A season’s worth of tough competition for the top spot among girls’ high school divers in Northwest Arkansas and across the state paid off in the end for Lindsey Rissinger.
Rissinger, a sophomore at Fayetteville, had finished first or second in the 1-meter diving events through the Lady Bulldogs’ season leading up to the State Swim and Dive Championships. But after a strong performance with a career-best score at the NWA District Meet, Rissinger saved the best for last. With a score of 362.04, she edged Cadie Starr of Springdale and Isabelle D’spain of Bentonville to claim the state individual title.
“I really wanted to win this year,” said Rissinger, who began diving at the age of 9. “I got a new dive coach this year and he’s helped me a lot.
“Once I found out I was going to win at state it was so exciting and I’m hopeful the next two years and I can make it three in a row.”
Rissinger’s win gives Fayetteville three consecutive girls’ winners at state in 1-meter diving, by three different divers, and earned her this year’s All-NWADG Diver of the Year honors. Erin Farrah won the title in 2013 and Brooke Schultz won for Fayetteville in 2014.
“It was really good motivation to keep it going,” Rissinger said. “It was just really awesome and a great way to finish up the year.”