Sorgi Returns, Wins Another Title

After taking a year off from high school diving, Erica Sorgi of Capistrano Valley picked up where she left off, winning the Southern Section Division I championships Tuesday at Heritage Park.

Demonstrating why she is world ranked in diving, Sorgi performed a nearly flawless program to win with 566.85 points. Her nearest challenger was teammate Tiffany Manning, who finished second with 458.20.

“Today’s diving was more of a battle for second,” said Edison Coach Larry Brennan, whose daughter Allison finished third with 454.30 points. “I mean come on. Erica’s a national champion. I’m just glad she’s here this year to give the kids, and me, a chance to see her dive.”

Sorgi, a junior, skipped high school competition last year to focus on national and international diving, where she competed with the Mission Viejo Nadadors diving club. In fact, Sorgi had just returned from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where she competed at the USA Grand Prix.

“I’m glad to be back and I’m glad to be competing in high school,” Sorgi said.

Of Sorgi’s 11 dives--eight on the three-meter and three on the one-meter--her two most difficult dives, a back 1 1/2 somersault 2 1/2 pike and a reverse 2 1/2 somersault tuck, were off the three-meter board. She averaged 8.5 on a possible 10 on her entire program.

“It wasn’t my normal program,” Sorgi said after her last dive of the competition, a 1 1/2 somersault pike off the one-meter. “I didn’t want to do too difficult dives. But it was enough and it’s nice to win my second title.”

Sorgi’s final score of 566.85 was just off her record performance in her freshman year, when she finished with 568.10.

Low-key about the event, Sorgi was unaware that her championship finish meant 20 points for her school, which will be added to the Capistrano Valley’s final swimming scores at Division I finals Friday at Belmont Plaza. Manning scored 17 points for her second-place finish.

“Really? Well, if it helps my school, that’s good,” Sorgi said, smiling.

Ventura Buena senior Brice Dumais won the Division I boys’ title with 577.35. Junior Ray Vincent of El Toro was second with 506.05.

Dumais’ title continued the streak his brothers, Justin and Troy, started in 1995. Justin, who’s diving for USC now, won the title in 1995 and 1996. Troy, who’s at Texas, won in 1997 and 1998.