MARYSVILLE — Marysville Getchell’s senior diver Brooke Wherley won the 3A State Diving Championship at the King County Aquatic Center Nov. 15.

Wherley achieved the sixth-highest score in state history of 438.85 and is the first state champion from MG, coach Jaclin Legore Hodgins said.

She also had the highest dive score of any diver in the state.

“I’m just proud. We knew she had it,” Hodgins said.

Wherley was just happy to do it in light of the what happened to her high school weeks ago.

She hopes her achievement can be seen as something positive in a time of tragedy.

“It feels really good. It was my main goal,” she said. “I wanted to bring something back to Marysville.”

Brooke said she hit all 11 of her dives the best she could.

“I was just really consistent, and there wasn’t any dives I majorly messed up,” she said.

It was Wherley’s uncanny ability to focus at age 18 that allowed her to execute her dives, Hodgins said.

“When she was at state, she was completely calm,” Hodgins said. “She’s always been able to focus when it’s important.”

Wherley contributed much of her success to her dive coach, Dick Caldwell, and her determination.

“The relationship they had, is what made a difference,” Hodgins said. “Brooke was the first girl diver to win state under Caldwell.”

Wherley trained intensely over the summer, traveling to the Federal Way aquatics center three to five weeks to perfect her technique. That is where state took place.

After graduation, Wherley will dive for the University of Arizona on an academic scholarship.

“It’s a completely new experience,” Wherley said. “I’m excited for that.”