ALL-NWADG SWIM/DIVE

Girls Diver of the Year

JOSIE MATALONE

SCHOOL Haas Hall-Fayetteville

CLASS Senior

THE SCOOP Matalone became a diver her sophomore year and quickly made the transition from elite-level gymnast to state champion diver. ... She credits her gymnastics background as a huge factor in her successful transition to diving. ... Won the Class 4A state dive title for the second straight year with 371.20 points. ... As a junior set a state record with 388.05 points to win the state title in Class 1A-5A. ... Will continue her diving career at Arkansas next fall. ... Matalone is a two-time all-state selection.

DID YOU KNOW Matalone plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas. She is already fluent in Chinese and is considering studying German.

QUOTABLE "I was in gymnastics for 10 years, and one day after an injury, I just felt like I didn't enjoy it anymore. That day I went home and Googled "sports for ex-gymnasts" and diving popped up. Someone had to practically drag me up the first time I did a 10-meter dive. I thought this is insane, this is for crazy people. As it turns out, I'm one of those crazy people."

-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip