Scoring Record Takes a Dive as Brennan Wins

Allison Brennan of Edison High embedded her name in the Southern Section record books Tuesday, scoring 621.65 points to win her second consecutive Division I diving title at the Marguerite Aquatics Complex in Mission Viejo.

Brennan crushed the previous record of 568.10, set by Capistrano Valley’s Erica Sorgi in 1997. Before that the record of 554.50 by Laguna Beach’s Wendy Wyland had stood for 13 years.

“I had no idea I was even close to the record,” Brennan, a senior said. “I’m so excited. What a great day.”

Brennan nailed her final three dives, scoring no less than an 8.5, but it was her 10th-round dive that sealed the victory.

Leading Capistrano Valley’s Tiffany Manning by only 12.35 points heading into the dive, Brennan scored 9.5 across the board on her reverse 1 1/2 somersault pike to extend her lead to 17.45 points. In the final round Brennan needed only a 6.5 average to win the title--she scored two 9.5s and three 9.0s.

“That is the best I have ever seen you dive,” her father and Edison diving Coach Larry Brennan told her after the meet. “You have never been better.”

Manning, who also surpassed Sorgi’s mark, finished second with 600.25. Leanne Dumais of Ventura Buena was third with 535.05 points. The three divers finished in the same order last year, but were separated by only eight points.

On the boys’ side, Michael Hilde of Laguna Hills won his second consecutive title with 610.25 points. Hilde won the Division II title last year, while attending Servite.

The door was opened for Hilde in the 10th round when Mission Viejo’s Dae Don Cho, who led Hilde by 10.85, missed his reverse 1 1/2 somersault, 2 1/2 twists free. Cho averaged 5.3 on the dive.

Hilde took advantage, stuck his inward 2 1/2 somersault tuck, and scored a 9.0 average, pulling ahead of Cho by 17 points and securing his title.

“I knew he missed his dive, so that was so relaxing for me on my dive,” Hilde said. “I knew all I had to do was land on my head.”

It was the second close call for Cho, who finished second last year when he hit his foot on the board, again on his 10th-round dive.

Cho finished in second with 596.85 points. Grant Mendiola of Laguna Hills was third with 534.05.