January 04, 2025

NCMP’s Eide, Hoffman medal at regional; Eide qualifies for state meet

By Jocelyn Sheets
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Putting the Aquagirl twist on regional diving competition Thursday at Fort Dodge are NCMP’s sophomore Morgan Eide, pictured, and freshman Alivia Hoffman, as they perform in the 11-dive event. Eide claimed second in the Fort Dodge regional and Hoffman earned the sixth-place medal. Two regionals — Fort Dodge and Indianola — were held at Fort Dodge High School’s pool. (Jocelyn Sheets)

FORT DODGE — Morgann Eide became the first NCMP diver to qualify for the state meet since 2011. The sophomore piled up 384.95 points in the 11-dive regional competition at Fort Dodge Thursday to take second place.

More important, Eide’s total was seventh-best across the state following the six regional champions. Each regional champion automatically qualifies for the IGHSAU state meet Nov. 6 in Marshalltown. The state’s next best 24 scores fill the state meet’s 30 slots.

“It was great to have a teammate this year at regionals,” Eide said. She competed in the 2014 regional as the first NCMP diving competitor since 2011. She finished fifth in the regional a year ago.

Eide and Alivia Hoffman turned in solid performances as both claimed regional medals placing in the top six. Hoffman, a freshman, in her first regional competition scored 293.05 points for sixth. Boone’s Kennedy Bass finished 24.55 points ahead of Eide with a final score of 419.50.

Divers from two regionals competed at Fort Dodge High’s swimming pool Thursday. Indianola’s regional champion was Jayna Misra of Ames with a score of 453.85. Misra and Bass were diving back-to-back in the event, and they were back-and-forth as leaders early. Misra pushed out to lead all divers from the fifth dive on.

Eide set a new NCMP record with a score of 402.20 in the 11-dive competition at the North Central Iowa Conference meet at Grinnell Oct. 24. The previous NCMP 11-dive top score was 401.10. Eide finished third at the conference meet and Hoffman was fourth.

“Morgann had a much stronger regional meet than last year. Her conference meet was better overall, but she had top scores on several individual dives tonight,” NCMP Diving Coach Kelly Rose said. “She was very consistent in her first five dives. She kept her composure and had clean and sharp dives.”

Hoffman also kept her composure after she slipped on the diving board when executing a dive. Rose said other divers had complained the diving board was a bit slippery.

“Alivia had a great conference meet and she kept that momentum going in her regional diving,” Rose said. “After she slipped, she came back and finished strong. Alivia had a great first year.”

Hoffman said she had fun competing in her first regional meet against good competition. She said she has a tumbling background, which helped her decide to become a diver for the NCMP team.

“I was pleased with the way I dove tonight. I really enjoyed the whole season,” Hoffman said.

Eide pointed to having more practice time on the diving board to her stronger season this year. She said Rose really helped her improve on her dives since last year.

“I was very pleased with how I did tonight. It was a lot better than expected. I’m hoping to qualify for state. Now, it’s about getting better for next year,” Eide said. “I’ve had great support from my family, teammates and coaches. I really have enjoyed getting closer to my teammates and competitors.”