MARYSVILLE — The biggest challenge for Marysville Getchell senior Alexandra Pimentel was letting go.

There was no better time of the season for her to have fun as state was approaching. During the second half of the season she knew the diver she wanted to be, coach Jaci Legore Hodgins said.

“She’s such a serious person by nature,” Hodgins said. “You have to have fun as a young person.”

But you can still be successful at the same time, Hodgins added.

Pimentel placed third overall at the 3A state swim meet in Federal Way in the dives scoring 359.70 points Nov. 14. As a result she is the Marysville-Globe Arlington Times Athlete of the Week.

“I think a lot of it had to do with being able to enjoy yourself and being confident,” Pimentel said.

She trained with coaches throughout the summer and honed her technique training with local college divers at the Federal Way Aquatics Center.

Her coaches noticed her work ethic and her execution of dives during practice. But an element was missing.

“Alexandra used to be really hard on herself,” Hodgins said. “And when she released that negative energy that’s when she metamorphosed.”

Pimentel was also a senior captain and leader throughout the season for Marysville-Pilchuck and MG’s joint swim team. She was a good leader because she didn’t just dive but did other swim events as well, Hodgins said.

“This year being able to enjoy time with my team helped me relax about the [state] meet,” Pimentel said.

“People looked up to me for help and encouragement especially at a place like state,” Pimentel said. “It’s intimidating. It’s the meet of the year.”

She now wants to dive for University of Idaho in Moscow because her summer coach she trains with is the new dive coach there.

“She’s just starting to blossom as an athlete for what she has overcome mentally and physically,” Hodgins said.