Clarkston senior divers Greyson LaHousse and Bobby Johnson readily admit they won’t miss much about diving for Clarkston and they don’t think their coach Kenywn Chock will miss them much either. But they did everything in their power during their senior year to make sure they’d never forget it.
‘She’s not a fan of diving,? LaHousse said with a laugh. ‘She pretty much lets us be and it’s better that way. We pretty much just coached ourselves this year and motivated each other, helped each other and yelled at each other a lot.?
The two went the season without having a full time diving instructor, so they took it upon themselves to make each other the best they could be. The two video taped each practice and meet and studied the footage to help them improve. Additionally, they got some help along the way from Bloomfield Hills Andover coach Don Mason, who they credit as being one of the best diving coaches in the state.
The two made school history this year by being the first male divers in Clarkston High School history to be named all-state. They finished 20th and 23rd out of a field of 36 divers at the state finals in at the University of Michigan March 12. Both agree they could’ve finished stronger, but were happy with their individual successes this season. LaHousse suffered through back pain during the state finals, which set in shortly after warm-ups.
‘I felt okay before warm-ups, but suddenly I didn’t feel good any more,? he said. ‘I was confident heading in, but I didn’t like the way the (diving) boards were set.?
Johnson said, ‘I felt better (physically) than he did, but I think we both agree we both could’ve done better.?
LaHousse said his personal highlights of his career included placing third at regionals this year and setting the six-dive school record with a score of 220.35 last year against Royal Oak. He also said the two had standout performances at this year’s OAA league meet, where LaHousse placed third and Johnson fourth. However the two think they should’ve placed higher.
‘The judges didn’t give us what we deserved that meet,? LaHousse said.
Johnson cited the regional meet at Lake Orion as his standout performance of the season, where he set a personal best on the six-dive score with 210.65, and finished eighth.
‘I hit the board with my feet and still managed to get eighth,? he said revealing what was left of the scar on his ankle. ‘Had that not happened, I think I would’ve finished in the top five for sure.?
The two readily admit there is an unspoken cold war of sorts between divers and swimmers. However, LaHousse and Johnson say they work harder than probably any of their teammates and say their job is tougher.
‘I’ve had to deal with swimmers the last four years,? LaHousse said with a slight laugh. ‘If any of them can do what we do I’ll take on their entire practice. We already do what they do (swim). I’d like to see them pull off one of our dives.?
LaHousse and Johnson both competed in swimming events this year, partaking in several relay races.
‘We practice just as long as they (the swimmers) do, probably longer,? Johnson said. ‘I’d say in the last two and a half years we’ve maybe not practiced a total of six weeks.?
So, how what lies ahead for Carkston’s first all state male divers? Possibly more diving as a tandem, if LaHousse gets his way.
‘I’m trying to convince him to be my synchronized diving partner next year at Michigan State,? LaHousse said. ‘We haven’t decided on anything yet, but about the only thing I’ll miss from diving here is Bobby.?