Seymour follows Loukas' example

When Stevenson junior Kerrin Seymour first joined Windy City Diving, she looked up to Christina Loukas.

And for good reason. Loukas was on her way to becoming one of the most accomplished divers in Illinois history.

Loukas, a three-time state champion at Deerfield and a fifth-year senior at Indiana University, recently placed ninth in the 3-meter springboard at the Beijing Olympics.

Although there was a substantial age difference, the two hit it off and became friends.

"I remember she was a very outgoing kid and she was always entertaining at practice," Loukas said. "I always loved hanging out with her. She was already a really good diver, and you could tell she had a lot of potential."

Since those days, Seymour has turned that potential into high-level performance. She won the state diving title as a freshman and placed fourth as a sophomore.

Seymour and senior teammate Sam Stenn will compete today and Saturday at the state swimming and diving meet at Evanston High School.

Earlier this season, Seymour set a school record for six dives (256 points) in a dual meet against Glenbrook North. She set an 11-dive school record (447 points) at the sectional meet. She easily placed first at the NSC Conference and sectional meets.

Loukas said part of what separates Seymour is her mental approach.

"She has the type of attitude you must have," Loukas said.

A good example is how Seymour reacts to the judges.

"Sometimes (judging) bothers me, but I try not to pay attention," she said. "I can't control it so I (focus) on diving the best I can."

Seymour has always loved the water. She began swimming at age 6, but two years later became intrigued by the girls who dove into the pool from a springboard.

"I thought it looked so cool," Seymour said. "I decided to give it a try and fell in love with the sport."

Seymour also enjoyed playing basketball, but by her freshman year of high school decided to pursue diving full time.

After an impressive regular season, she saved her best for last, placing first at the state meet.

"I was shocked when I won," she said. "Going into the state meet I didn't have high expectations and that really gave me an advantage. I was (relaxed) and had fun."

Her sophomore year was not nearly as smooth. Seymour missed most of the season with mononucleosis and wasn't able to start diving until three weeks before the state meet. Even though she was rusty, Seymour still came in fourth at the state meet.

"I was disappointed I didn't live up to my freshman year, but I was happy I still placed in the top six," she said.

During the summer, the 5-foot-8 Seymour proved she was her old self, placing first in the 16-year-old division at the 1-Meter AAU National Championship. She credits her improved height off the board to the work she put in on explosiveness and weight training.

Seymour took that momentum into the high school season and is one of the top contenders at the state meet.

"I've been really pleased with my diving," she said. "I have an extra boost of confidence."