Flintridge Prep Diver Named All-American

Strength. Agility. Flexibility. These are just a few of the qualities required of a diver and Flintridge Prep's Madison Witt has them all. Witt, a rising star on the diving scene, was recently chosen as an All-American for Diving by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NICSA).

The designation of All-American signifies Witt as one of the top 100 female high school divers in the United States. The NISCA High School All-American Selection Committee can choose up to 200 high school divers, 100 of the top female divers and 100 of the top male divers. These divers are the top one percent of all high school divers who compete at the interscholastic competition levels between grades nine to twelve. The selection process for the committee includes reviewing submitted applications and DVDs, scoring the competition, and then ranking the divers. Along with this honor, Witt is one of only 11 other freshman girls selected. She is also the first female diver from Flintridge Prep in the school’s history to receive All-American distinction.

“At first, I wasn’t quite sure how big of a deal it was. Once I let it sink in, I was so proud of myself and it was a big deal for me, especially being the first girl at prep to receive All-American at diving,” remarked Witt, a La Cañada resident, on her thoughts of being named All-American.

Other awards for Witt include placing second in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)-SS Diving Championship this past May.

“It’s a lot of fun, you feel like you’re on a roller coaster instead of knowing that you’re strapped in to the ride. Relying on myself and on God, adds to the exhilaration and it makes it a lot more enjoyable for me,” commented Witt on her love of diving.

Witt started taking diving lessons in the third grade, becoming more serious about the sport two years later in fifth grade. Apart from diving with Flintridge Prep, she is also a diver with So Cal Divers. Witt has a busy training schedule ahead of her; from Monday to Thursday, she trains with So Cal Divers in Fullerton and she continues her training on Saturdays and Sundays at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. In August, she plans to participate in the USA Diving Junior National Championships and the AT&T National Diving Championships.

“It’s obviously a passion of hers, she exceeded my expectations and Madison has been an extremely hard worker. She believes the talents she has gotten from God, and she relies a lot on God,” said Lisa Witt, mother of Madison Witt.