Warsaw’s Jayce Sawyer finished second at the NLC Boys Diving Championships Friday night. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

MIDDLEBURY – Ethan Smith made sure there was no doubt.

The Concord diving ace ran away with the Northern Lakes Conference Boys Diving Championships with a 11-dive set of 470.00, more than enough to secure the title. Smith, the runner-up at the 2020 finals, won the title convincingly with runner-up Jayce Sawyer of Warsaw well behind in second place at 385.70.

Sawyer was the one who had to fend off the competition on the Northridge diving boards, with Goshen’s Caden Hodge in third at 344.70 and Mishawaka’s Takoda Stone fourth at 335.10.

NorthWood’s duo of Nick Jones and Kaleb Eberle were next at 324.05 and 312.90, closely followed by Devon Kuhn of Wawasee at 312.65 and Nate Gaby of Goshen in eighth at 303.85.

The conclusion of diving sets into motion the remainder of the NLC Championships, set to return to the Northridge Natatorium Saturday afternoon for the swim finals. Concord, with Smith’s championship, is on the right foot to defend its 2020 championship. Swim events are set to begin at 1 p.m.