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Vol. 55, No. 37
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
warsaw’s star diver
Ian Parrott brings home state and mental attitude honors By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer When Warsaw senior Ian Parrott saw an opportunity to bring home a state championship medal at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis Saturday, Feb . 28, he did not hesitate . Parrott was second in the scoring prior to the final three dives . His final dive of 67 .20 was the decisive clincher . “Once I saw I had a chance, I just got excited,” Parrott said . “I cleared my mind . I thought of the things I need to think of when I do that dive and I did it . Man, it felt good .” Parrott finished with a total score of 556 .50 . Fishers senior Mason Lawson was second at 539 .75 . Warsaw had another senior in the diving competition in Skyler Kretsch . He placed 15th out of the 20 divers at the state finals . That could have been the end of the day and Parrott’s diving career at Warsaw . The Indiana High School Athletic Association had one more surprise to go as Parrott was named the winner of the Hernan F . Keller Mental Attitude Award at the conclusion of the state finals . Parrott was nominated by the Warsaw coaching staff for his ability to demonstrate mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and
athletic ability . Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance donates a $1,000 scholarship to Warsaw Community High School’s scholarship fund in Parrott’s name as part of the award . Deron Manwaring is part of the Warsaw coaching staff and felt Parrott was a well-deserved recipient . “He has certainly done all the things that we need to see him do as a teammate, as a swimmer and diver . He’s worked hard to get to the state championship . Win a state championship and certainly deserves this award,” Manwaring said . “He’s a great student and a great member of the community . Obviously, the IHSAA really recognized that as somebody who really deserves this award .” Parrott says he plans to continue diving in college . The two schools he is down to are Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame . He is currently waiting to see if he will be accepted to Notre Dame before making a decision . The state finals capped off a successful month of diving in big meets for Parrott . He claimed Northern Lakes Conference, sectional and regional championships . In the Mishawaka Regional Tuesday, Feb . 24, Parrott earned a score of 545 .50 to give him the top seed for the state finals . TROPHY TIME — Warsaw senior Ian Parrott had a full day Saturday, Feb. 28, at the state finals in Indianapolis. He won the state championship in diving and also received the Hernan F. Keller Mental Attitude Award. Photos by Nathan Pace.
MEET THE CHAMPION — Warsaw senior Ian Parrott prepares to take the top spot on the podium after finishing first in the diving event at the state finals Saturday, Feb. 28. The Tigers placed 22nd overall at the state meet as a team . Warsaw won a share of the NLC this season, its first NLC title in boys swimming in almost three decades . Parrott said he is confident his state championship can give momentum to future swimming and diving seasons at Warsaw . While his eligibility is over at Warsaw, you can count on Parrott to stay close to the Tiger program . “I think this is a big win for the program,” Parrott said . “We’ve got some really good people coming in . For the swim team, we’re going to work really hard on that . The same for the divers . We have some really good divers coming in, we know that .”
UPSIDE DOWN — Warsaw senior Ian Parrot completes a dive at the state finals in Indianapolis Saturday, Feb. 28.
WATER TIGERS — The Warsaw swimming and diving team cheers on Ian Parrott when he is presented the state champion medal Saturday, Feb. 28 in Indianapolis.