lily has talent

By Dave Merchant dmerchant9701@yahoo.com
 
Dexter sophomore Lily Witte has quite the diving resume. She also loves swimming. 
Her highlights include: Five time USA Diving Jr. National Champion, Five time silver medalist, two time bronze medalist; Team USA Junior National Squad member since 2017, competed for the USA on three continents in two Jr Pan American Games as well as the Dresden Youth Games. Two time high school state champion, two time Michigan Dream Team member, D2 State and DHS record holder.
 
 
Her favorite class is Math (Advanced Algebra 2). Her favorite coach is hard to narrow down. “I have had so many great coaches over the years, it is difficult to pick,” she said. “I would like to thank each and every one of them for helping make me the athlete I am today.   My Legacy Diving coaches work with me daily, and continue to develop me for the future:  Coach Buck Smith, Coach Ed Goodman, and Coach Dan Gironza.  Coach Shawn Bergman of DHS has helped me with my high school diving, and Coach Cory Bergen of DHS recognizes that I still love swimming and I am grateful he gives me the opportunity to compete.” 
“Coach Chris Whitaker from the Iron Dread Program was willing to take a chance and allow me to try the program when I was a just a seventh grader, and helps make me strong.   I also need to mention Coach Dave Gendernalik and Coach Kate Riedel of DCAC who took me on as a 5 year old and instilled in me the love of swimming and diving.”
 
She has big things planned. “I plan on continuing to attend Dexter High School (many of my teammates on Team USA are homeschooled) and balance my studies and diving,” she added.  “I will then look for a university that is a good fit for my educational interests (Pre-Med) and where I can continue to grow in the sport of diving.  It is my goal to continue to represent Team USA in the future.”
 
She likes diving. “I have been diving (and swimming) since I was 5 years old.  I absolutely love the sport of diving,” she said. “I love the challenge of perfecting dives and the feeling of accomplishment when you finally nail it.”.
 
Her parents are Trudy Zedaker-Witte and Wade Witte.  She has two sisters, Kaylee who is 22 and Lauren who is 17 and a senior this year at DHS.
 
Hobbies include running, completing jigsaw puzzles, and skiing.
 
Advice for younger athletes is strong. “Always try and find the joy in your sport and hold tightly on to that,” she said. “As you advance in your sport, workouts become more grueling, practices are longer, and competitions can become more stressful, but if you can find a way to hang on to the fun, you will enjoy the journey.”
 

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