Clearview freshmen divers Rosenberger and Whalen qualify for NJSIAA State Championship
MULLICA HILL, N.J. — The Clearview Diving Team has always been strong, but now more than ever they are a force. Some of their brightest stars are also their youngest, but they are far from novice.
Three Clearview divers qualified for the NJSIAA State Championships this season — freshman Jake Rosenberger, freshman Teagan Whalen, and Sophomore Peyton Sherrill. The 11-Dive Qualifier held at the GCIT Aquatics Center was a scaled-down meet with only 16 divers competing for a chance to qualify for States. Jake qualified with an impressive 283.2 points and a second place finish among the boys. Peyton earned 3rd (372.1) and Teagan 10th (263.7). Qualifying score for males and females is 228 points or higher.
In addition, the two freshmen took first place in the Gloucester County Championships and won the Tri-County Championship Showcase their first year diving for Clearview.
“This has been a very exciting year for Clearview,” says Coach Skyler Lyndsey. “We have a young team and we’re only graduating one senior, Madeline DiCarlo, who we will miss tremendously.” Madeline is ending her senior year strong with second place wins at the Gloucester County Championships and the Tri-County Championship Diving Showcase. “She has been a huge part of the Clearview dive team since she was a freshman and has really made a name for herself over the years,” Coach Lindsey continues. “We are fortunate to have such a young team to step up over the next few years.”
For the boys, that young talent is inarguably Jake Rosenberger. He began diving and swimming at the age of 6 for the Wenonah Swim Club. “Both of my older sisters were divers,” he says. “Diving looked like a lot of fun, and since I was always jumping and flipping on the trampoline at home, it was a natural fit for me.” He is the only Clearview diver who also swims for the high school swim team. “I really enjoy the balance that it gives me,” he says.
“Teagan Whalen and Jake Rosenberger certainly made a name for themselves this season as freshman, winning both Championships and crushing their own high scores throughout the season,” says Coach Lindsey. She has a strong feeling that both the male and female records will be broken within the next few years. The female record has been held by Amber Funk since 1999 with a score of 235. The male record was broken in 2019 by Caleb Amadoro with a 226. “I feel as though Peyton and Teagan will be battling for the females while Jake will get the males.
For Jake, he is focused on perfecting a front one-and-a-half double twist for States. “I have a few weeks to still work on it, and if I can execute that dive well, it should really help me with my score. I would be really happy if I can finish out this year in the top ten,” he says.
“I am excited to have qualified, especially as a freshman. I definitely was not expecting that to happen this year,” he continues. “I learned everything about Diving from my two dive coaches.” During the summer, that’s Coach Bob Tender at Wenonah Swim Club, and at Clearview it’s Coach Lindsey. “They are both fantastic coaches and I have been so lucky to learn so much from both of them.”
“This 2022 team was awesome to work with,” says Coach Lindsey. “I look forward to seeing how our State qualifiers do at Championships as they are working so hard. Good luck Teagan, Jake and Peyton!”
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