Athlete of the Week
Experience is not an attribute Cape Coral High’s Carlos Alvarez has on his side as he prepares for the Florida Class 3A Swimming & Diving Finals in Orlando.
The senior is in his first season diving. He has made up for the lack of experience, though, with determination and athleticism.
“His build and just his natural talent has really helped,” Seahawks diving coach Robert Schneider said.
Alvarez, who also competes in wrestling, decided to join his brother, Antonio, on the swim team this season. During a random practice early in the season, he made his way over to the diving board. It’s proven to be a good decision ever since.
The Daily Breeze Athlete of the Week has improved gradually throughout the season and placed second at last Friday’s Region 3A-2 Meet. His score of 348.30 points secured his spot in the state finals.
“This being my first year of diving, I didn’t think I was going to make it to state,” Alvarez said. “Whatever I do I’ll be happy with. Top 15 is a reasonable goal.”
As a junior, Alvarez competed in cross country in the fall to help stay in shape, and then wrestled in the winter. He said he wanted to try a different sport in his senior year.
He was able to execute several dives almost immediately and has spent the remainder of the season tweaking his skills with his teammates and (coach) Schneider. He claimed LCAC and district titles along the way.
“I just started doing it because it looked fun,” he said, “but my scores have been getting gradually higher.”
At the state competition, Alvarez will make 11 dive attempts. Two dives in each of the following categories — front flip, back flip, reverse, inwards and twisting — and then one extra in any category.
Honorable mentions:
Autumn Yesh, freshman, Ida Baker soccer: Yesh sparked the Bulldogs offense with two goals in a season-opening victory over Cypress Lake and added another in a tie with Fort Myers.
Sarah Toggweiler, sophomore, Bishop Verot volleyball: Toggweiler, an outside hitter, blasted 12 kills in a regional quarterfinal win over Clearwater Central Catholic.