Jan. 14 varsity swim and dive faced Howell Central. Junior diver Kayla Thuet, not only had winning the meet on her mind, but in hands reach of a state qualifying score.

During her fifth dive-reverse 1 ½-she could not fully finish the flip, which resulted in her hitting the water with her back.

“I learned at these times you just have to get back up and do it again,” Thuet said.

Her perseverance helped her complete her six dive portion with a final score of 230.8, finishing her second in the meet.

“I was nervous,” Thuet said, “But once I surfaced the water, I saw my mom cheering in the stands, signaling a thumbs up that I received the cut.”

Thuet inched her way into the state qualifying score by .83. She will continue to improve her diving score at the dive meet Jan. 23 at Pattonville.

“Hopefully I will increase my score for state,” Thuet said. “This will give me a better seeded place.”