SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior diver Allison Autrey is not afraid of new challenges. After years as a gymnast, injuries forced her to look for a new activity and she took up diving as a sophomore. Three years later, she is one of the top divers in the area and has verbally committed to compete for UC Davis next year.

“I am really excited,” said Autrey. “I did not start diving until sophomore year and never thought I would make it to college doing anything. My coaches pushed me and pushed me, saying I had so much potential.”

Capital Diving coaches Dede Crayne, who coaches the St. Francis diving program, and Phil Tonne, the UC Davis head coach, recognized the potential and skill set in Autrey coming from her gymnastics background.

“She came to me as a gymnast,” said Crayne. “Right away she showed good potential. She is quick into her motions and a fast spinner. She has stuck with it. She is very tough and a go getter. It has been a gradual with her improvement but not everything has come easy so she has had to crash her way to success a little bit. Her toughness comes into a play.”

Autrey has also stepped her diving list this season, struggling at time with the new degree of difficulty.

“I have a completely different list from last year,” said Autrey. “Everything is different. Whether it is another flip or a different position, everything is different. It is the final hoo-rah. Go big or go home.”

It is that positive, determined attitude she taken into the meets this season while working on her new dives.

“I have not been in the No. 1 spot and that has been hard,” said Autrey, who was the top finisher on Wednesday against Bella Vista. “This year has been hit or miss. I have learned a lot of new dives so it is just about getting them consistent. I think I will be better by the end of the year.”

The new dives will also help her compete with the tougher competition in college at UC Davis. She is excited about continuing her diving career at the collegiate level for the Aggies.

“I love the school,” said Autrey, who chose UCD over Wisconsin. “I want to be a vet and they have a really good vet program. I fell in love with the campus.”

For now her focus is on the rest of the high school season. Autrey and several of her Troubadour and club teammates will compete in the St. Mary’s Invitational in Stockton on Friday.

“I am excited and I really like invitationals,” said Autrey. “There are more divers and more competition. It is good to see the diversity of the section for when trials and finals come up.”

The championship part of the season starts May 1 with the Delta River League Championships with the Sac-Joaquin Section meet starting on May 8.