Savit's last dive gives him county title

At the Suffolk Diving Championships Saturday, Half Hollow Hills senior Ryan Savit found himself in unfamiliar territory going into his last dive of the day -- he was trailing. Anthony Stefanelli, a junior from Sachem East, held a 7.40-point lead at 453.65-446.25 after 10 dives and then scored a 51.30 on his last dive to give him a final score of 504.95.

With just one chance to win the championship, Savit walked down the diving board and recited the lyrics to Eminem's Grammy-winning hit "Lose Yourself."

"You only get one shot, do not miss your chance, because opportunity comes once in a lifetime," the lyrics say.

Savit seized the opportunity as his final dive earned a score of 67.20, the highest score of the day, to finish with 513.45 points and win his second straight county 1-meter diving title.

"I feel like I'm on top of the world right now," Savit said. "I saved my best dive for last. As soon as I hit the water I knew I would get the win."

When Savit got out of the pool he hugged Hills diving coach Chris Blumenstetter, who has coached Savit since he was an eighth-grader.

"I let him know how much I care about him," said an emotional Blumenstetter. "I'm so happy that he won, but after states he's gone. I wish I could hit the pause button so he could stay a bit longer."

Savit says he will be diving for the University of Southern California next year. Even though he will be on the other side of the country, he said he'll definitely keep in contact with Blumenstetter.

"He's done so much for me throughout the years," Savit said. "He's more than my coach, he's my best friend."

Now it's on to the state championships, and Savit is looking to improve on last year's third-place finish. It will be his last shot, his last opportunity to win a state title.

"My top goal is to win states," he said. "I want to end my career on a high note."