Falcon diver keeps crown

Falcon diver Anna Flanders at a competition in Oct. 2021.

Albany High School's Anna Flanders retained the Division 1 champion title at the Section 2 diving competition, held at Shenendehowa, on Thursday.

Flanders, now a sophomore, first earned the title as a William S. Hackett Middle School eighth grader. Sectionals were not held last year due to COVID-19.

Flanders handily earned first with an overall score of 516.80 points. Her closest competitor, Niskayuna's Sanayia Joefield, was 31.6 points behind with a score of 485.20.

“Anna is a phenomenal athlete – she’s graceful, fierce and incredibly talented,” said Ashley Chapple, the City School District of Albany’s Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics.

“We are here to cheer her on all the way to states, and beyond. And we look forward to following her continued success as a Falcon during the next two years.”

The 2021 New York State Public High School Athletic Association will hold the girls' swimming and diving championships on Nov. 19 at Ithaca College.

Congratulations to Anna Flanders!