Diving right in

At the start of 2013, Marysville Getchell’s Brooke Wherley had never set foot on a diving board for a competitive event. By year’s end, she had placed second at the Class 3A state diving championships.

Wherley, now a senior, proved to be such a natural in her first year of diving that she set the Chargers’ school record in her first meet, broke that record multiple times throughout the season and won the district championship.

?I didn’t think it was going to be as good of a season as it was,? Wherley said. ?It still surprised me it was as good as it was all the way up to state.?

Wherley had been a gymnast for six years before taking up diving. The similarities between the two sports played a major factor in her instant success.

?The biggest adjustment I had was landing on my head,? Wherley said. ?That’s not OK in gymnastics. Twisting and flipping, just the basic mechanics of it, transferred over perfectly.?

At the urging of a friend, Wherley started diving in March of 2013 at the Forest Park pool in Everett. She immediately liked the sport and began training at the Federal Way Aquatic Center over the summer before her first year of school competition began in the fall.

Right away, Jaci LeGore Hodgins, who coaches the two Marysville high school swim teams, and Dick Caldwell, who coaches the Marysville Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell divers, knew Wherley was no ordinary athlete.

?She got on the board that (first) day and Caldwell and I both looked at each other and just went, ?This is very special,’? LeGore Hodgins said.

Wherley’s score of 232.85 in her first competition set the school-record for a six-dive meet. She improved that score to 249.75 by year’s end. At the district meet, her score of 406.75 set the school record for an 11-dive meet.

Wherley credits much of her success to Caldwell’s coaching.

?He’s amazing,? she said. ?He helps us a lot and he’s really good at what he does.?

Diving success for the Chargers and Tomahawks isn’t limited to Wherley. Caldwell said Marysville has qualified a diver for the state meet in each of the past 17 seasons.

?It’s good athletes,? Caldwell said of the reason for all the success. ?They make it easy on me. They’re very coachable. I’ve been lucky enough to get quite a few gymnasts. They’ve already got the background, all I have to do is change them from vaulting and trying to go out to diving and going in. Most of them have worked hard and made it happen.?

Caldwell seems reluctant to take his share of the credit, but like Wherley, LeGore Hodgins isn’t shy about heaping on praise.

?I truly think it’s Dick,? LeGore Hodgins said. ?His step process is so safe and they have so much trust in him that he’s able to really bring out a lot.?

Southridge’s Danielle Freund, last year’s Class 3A state champion, graduated this past June, making Wherley the favorite to win the championship as a senior. If she finishes atop the podium this year, she could be Marysville Getchell’s first state champion ? in any sport.

?I think that would be really cool, and a huge honor,? Wherley said. ?I’m really hoping that it happens, because that’s one of my main goals.?

The big stage doesn’t intimidate Wherley. She said the most relaxed she was going into a meet last season was at state.

?State was the only meet I wasn’t completely nervous for,? Wherley said. ?I didn’t expect anything because I didn’t want to get my hopes up and then have it not work out. I obviously wanted to win, but I ended up being second. My goal was top three going into state and I accomplished that, so I was really happy with it.?

LeGore Hodgins said Wherley’s ability to relax is one of her greatest assets.

?I think that just tells you so much about her,? LeGore Hodgins said. ?The great ones can clear the mechanism. And as we know, there aren’t many great ones. That’s why she’s so special.?

Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.