As the fall sports season comes to a close, one diver isn’t quite ready to step off the diving board just yet. Freshman Peter Lucido, who has been diving competitively for more than two years, has qualified for the State competition. State takes place Nov. 15-16 at the St. Peters Rec Plex.
“It’s a great accomplishment for me,” Lucido said.
“I think it’s good to have a diver representing FHN at this level.” First-timer Lucido is optimistic about his chances, and so is his St. Louis Diving Club teammate Dominique Meyer, a junior who has been diving for more than two years as well. Meyer went to State last year,and came in seventh place overall. From her experience, Meyer believes Lucido will do well.
“He’s really good,” Meyer said. “I think as long as he doesn’t get nervous or intimidated by the level of competition, he could easily place at least third. He could definitely win, though.”
Assistant Boys’ Swim/Dive Team Coach William Crow also believes Lucido will do well based on how he has done this year. He broke the school’s diving record of 216 during his very first meet in addition to setting a new record when he earned 275.05 points on Oct. 1 against Wentzville Liberty. To qualify for State, a diver m
ust earn a minimum of 210 points overall for a set of six dives. Lucido was the only swimming or diving member from FHN to qualify this season.
“He works really hard,” Crow said. “He practices all year round with the St. Louis Diving Club in addition to diving for the Knights. I think it’s a great achievement for him and the school. It’s good for the swim team to get a little notoriety, and it may get more kids interested in swimming and diving.”
Tom Lucido, Peter’s Club coach and older brother, thinks that Peter will go far due to his strong control and great techniques, as long as the judges see it too.
“The judging at the State level is a bit different from other meets, because it really depends on if they like what they see,” Tom said. “Being a freshman, they h
aven’t seen him before, so they don’t really know what to expect. But I think he could easily place top two. He spins really fast. Most kids don’t spin that fast.”
Lucido is also currently ranked third on the STL High School Sports Boys’ Swimming stats list of the Top 50 divers in the Greater St. Louis Area. To enter the running for a medal at the State competition Lucido will need to get at least 340 points total for a set of 11 dives.
“I’m planning to just train really hard to prepare,” Lucido said. “I really want to try and perfect a back two and a half dive for it. The State competition’s anew experience for me, and I hope I do well.”
