Hancock Diver Roux Ready to Make a Splash at State Championships

Hancock Diver Roux Ready to Make a Splash at State Championships
May 3, 2018

Freshman Kailey Roux will represent the Allan Hancock College swimming and diving team at De Anza College during the 2018 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships. Roux will compete in the 1-meter diving event on Thursday, May 3, and in the 3-meter event on Friday, May 4.

"I am excited, but definitely nervous," said Roux, an Orcutt Academy graduate. "I've seen nearly every girl already this season who I will be competing against, so I know what I am up against."

Roux qualified for the state championship and made history in the process. She became the first Hancock diver to win an individual Western State Conference title in the 3-meter final with a season-best score of 181.65 points. She beat the runner-up by 65 points. Her score ranked No. 7 among all divers from the Southern California Regional.

"It felt amazing to be the first person from Hancock to win a conference title. I was really surprised, but felt very accomplished," said Roux

Roux finished runner-up in the 1-meter conference final with a score of 136.00, just 3.75 points behind the conference champion.

Roux is the second Hancock diver to qualify for state. Roux hopes to set personal-best scores in each event – 180 in the 1-meter and 200 points in the 3-meter.

"Ever since conference, I have increased the difficulty on my dives and trying to make sure I complete all of the components to complete all of the divers," said Roux, a viticulture and enology major at Hancock.

Regardless of what happens at state, Roux is proud of what she has accomplished as a freshman for the Bulldogs.

"I have improved so much this year and am having more fun than ever before. I hope to end my freshman season with a couple of personal bests," said Roux.

Last season, Hancock sent one diver, three individual swimmers and three relay teams to the state meet. Sophomore Nikki Gurgiolo finished 15th in the 3-meter diving event. The Bulldogs finished 14th overall at the 2017 CCCAA State Championships.