Laura Ryan giving up track (MN)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://erstarnews.com/content/view/2726/74/

Elk diving star Ryan gives up track, pole-vaulting (4-1)
Wednesday, 02 April 2008

ERHS sophomore Laura Ryan, state champion in diving last fall, has decided to concentrate on diving year-round and didn't come out for track.

Ryan placed sixth in the state in pole vault as an eighth-grader. She has the school record of 10-6, and qualified again last year but didn't place. She's also gone to state in the 4-by-800 relay.

An outstanding athlete, Ryan was also a state finalist in the 50 freestyle as a freshman while placing second in diving, a feat so rare she got a writeup in the Star Tribune. But she also gave up swimming as a sophomore to maximize her efforts indiving.

Ryan told the Star News that she'd like to continue in track, but there's too much conflict with diving.

She recently did well enough at a meet in Ames, Iowa, to qualify in both platforms for U.S. Senior Nationals to be held April 16-20 in Minneapolis. Competition there includes Olmpians and top college divers.