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RPThursday, March 1, 2012
sports13
Smith-Sharp staying home
HHS diver decides on University of Minnesota Nick Dale Staff Reporter
Jasmine Smith-Sharp, senior, had the opportunity to dive for one of the most prestigious universities in the country, West Point Military Academy. However, next fall she will find herself diving elsewhere. During her senior season, SmithSharp’s diving skills placed her under the spotlight of college recruiting. She has excelled on the varsity dive team since 9th grade. In her first season, Jasmine made the top six all-time best score list for the six-dive event. “Jasmine has a strong competitive spirit and thrives when the ‘heat is on’.” said Mr. Scott Smith, HHS girls dive coach. Smith has coached Smith-Sharp since she was in eighth grade and on the junior varsity team. Since then, he has gotten to know how her as a person and an athlete. “Jasmine has a firm grasp on what her own limitations are and is willing to communicate this. In turn, this helps her as an athlete to be more coachable,” Smith said. “[She] is one of our most focused divers. She is also a great leader and role model for the younger kids. Jasmine makes sure they do what is needed so their performance can be at its best,” said Abby Whritenour, senior and dive team member. West Point Military academy recognized her talent and work ethic. The school recruited Smith-Sharp for their dive team and military training camp. With a 13 percent acceptance rate, West Point Military Academy is among
the country’s most competitive schools. It is even harder to be recruited as an athlete. Though Smith-Sharp acknowledged the merits of West Point, she declined the offer. “I wasn’t really interested in the four years of military commitment after graduation, or how far away from home it is,” she said. “I loved the school and all the people, and would receive a great education, but it just wasn’t my fit.” A scholarship offer from the University of Minnesota made her decision to turn down West Point much easier. “It’s my hometown; I have to represent,” Smith-Sharp said. “Plus a lot of my family members have gone there and the U of M has a great coaching staff.” Diving at the University of Minnesota was not a new idea to her; it was a lifelong pursuit. “I had always dreamed that I’d dive at the U, but I never actually saw myself doing it. Once I started club diving, and excelling, I realized I could go farther. I’m always testing to see how far I can go,” Smith-Sharp said. Coach Smith gave her a start in the right direction but ultimately left the choice to her. “I recommended that she find a place where she felt comfortable living for the next several years so she could achieve the success she expects from herself,” he said. While her choice was made easier by Minnesota’s offer, she still weighed her options with consideration before deciding. “Everyone basically told me that this decision is completely up to me,” SmithSharp said. “It was just a gut instinct to attend the University of Minnesota.”
Photo provided by Jasmine Smith-Sharp
Photo provided by Jasmine Smith-Sharp
Photo provided by Jasmine Smith-Sharp
Top: Smith-Sharp displays perfect form as she comes close to hitting the water. Above: Scott-Smith, HHS girls dive coach, embraces Smith-Sharp. He has helped support her throughout the recruiting process. Left: Smith-Sharp springs off the high board at an outdoor pool to begin her dive.