Smith wins state diving title again

FEDERAL WAY - A Cheney High School junior has won back-to-back state diving titles.

Alma Smith returned home from the 3A state diving championships last week with a gold medal after successfully defending the title he won in 2023.

Smith easily outdistanced runner-up James Ferrier of Gig Harbor, 401.90 to 297.35 in the Feb. 15 competition at the King County Aquatic Center.

Smith, who just began diving in 2021 and is coached by Aaron Gilfoyle from the Inland Empire Diving Club, produced significantly improved numbers over his 2023 effort, a 338.05 to 316.0 win over Christopher Sellers of Bishop...