Worthy moment for Hawksworth
Converted gymnast delivers in diving, breaks 21-year-old record for Lincoln-Way Central
Breaking the program record for highest six-dive score was more than just a huge accomplishment for Lincoln-Way Central junior AbbyHawksworth.
It brought along a realization she had found her new passion.
“It was really a magic moment for me,” Hawksworth said. “It made me realize that everything happens for a reason. I had to walk away from gymnastics due to a back injury and that’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my life because gymnasticswasmy life.
“That moment made me realize I’ve fallen in love with a new sport, and I never thought that could happen again after I had to leave gymnastics.”
Hawksworth broke a 21year-old record with her score of 266.15 in Thursday’s SouthWest Suburban dual at Homewood-Flossmoor.
An impressive feat for someonewhohas only been diving for a little over a year.
“I was a competitive gymnast for 12 years,” Hawksworth said. “It’s very hard on the body. The lower back injury that made me quit, I had it before andwas able to get over it. When I got it a second time, I tried to tough it out and ended up making itworse.”
When she retired last May from gymnastics, Hawksworth began looking for a new sport. She was quickly pushed toward diving by a friend who’s now a district rival.
“After I quit, I had three paths,” she said. “I could go the cheer path, the dance route or the diving route. My best friend, Kate Mitchell, she goes to Lincoln-Way East and she had to quit gymnastics because of very similar injuries.
“She went into diving, said she enjoyed it and didn’t have any back pain anymore. She kind of inspiredme to do it.”
Hawksworth and Mitchell both qualified last season for state. On the same night Hawksworth broke Lincoln-Way Central’s program record, Mitchell set a new pool record at BradleyBourbonnais with a 252.66.
Success in a new sport has come much quicker than Hawksworth expected.
“I’m very proud ofmyself and I was really shocked to break that record,” she said. “It just shows how much I’ve progressed over the past year. It shows all the hard work and effort I’ve put in this sport just because I wanted to be the best I can be.”
Now, she sees a future in diving.
“I really do want to dive in college,” she said. “At first I wasn’t so sure, but now I’ve opened my eyes to the idea and I really want to strive to reach that goal.”
Excited Eagles: Sandburg hosted a quad Saturday with Lincoln-Way Central, Andrewand Stagg. H-F also competed, but only in diving.
It was the Eagles’ first competition with more than one opponent, and senior Jenna Falsey appreciated the opportunity to have a big meet experience, at least by 2020 standards.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “It was great to see more swimmers out here. Even though it wasn’t a huge invite like we’re used to, itwas big for this year.”
Falsey won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 16.76 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 5:33.33 as Sandburg edged LincolnWay Central for the title, 217-213.
Hunting history: Sectional assignmentswere announced lastweek, and Lincoln-WayWestwill attempt to win its first sectional title as the favorite on Oct. 24 at the Lockport Sectional.
Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way Central, the host Porters and Andrew are among other top teams there.
The host Eagles are the favorite at the Sandburg Sectional.