Diver has sights set on title

By Staff
Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
When you look at the experience levels of Matt Ramey’s competitors, it’s hard to believe that the Hartselle freshman is one of the top divers in the state.
Most of the divers who will participate in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s state meet this weekend at Auburn University’s pool have been diving since they were barely old enough to swim.
Ramey hasn’t even been diving competitively for a full year. But he’s got some lofty state championship hopes right now.
Ramey has competed in six meets this year and he’s come away with wins each time. Three of those wins came representing Hartselle High School, while the other three were in club meets.
That doesn’t mean Ramey is ready to concede the state title without a fight, though.
The meet will also be one of the biggest in his short career at one of the premier swimming and diving facilites in the nation.
His biggest meet to date: last year’s Alabama Sports Festival, where he won both the high board and low board competitions.
Though he had never competed, Ramey impressed a local lifeguard with his skills and he was encouraged to try the sport competitively.
So he went to the internet and found a coach - Ralph Huesinger of Huntsville.
Ramey practices three nights a week in Huntsville, while the rest of the Tigers’ swimmers practice in Decatur.
Still, he knows he’ll be representing Hartselle this weekend at Auburn.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or by email at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com