Karsten dives into state
Owatonna diver Kate Karsten flips and spins herself around during a dive attempt at state last season. Karsten took 21st place in her state debut in 2024, and qualified for the big meet again in 2025 by finishing second at sections. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Owatonna’s Kate Karsten was near-spotless in her routines during the Section 1AA girls’ one-meter dive competition, but the junior still made a serious splash by securing second place and qualifying for the 2025 state meet.
Karsten’s 225.10 points in the semifinal round set her up in prime position to make the push for state, which she secured by finishing with 313.50 total points – just 9.20 shy of first place.
The junior is no stranger to the state meet after having competed for the Huskies alongside 2024 graduate Mya Dutton in the girls’ one-meter dive competition last year.
Karsten finished 21st with 162.95 points in 2024, but last year’s score hardly reflects the improvements she’s made this season.
At sections last week, Karsten managed to score 147.40 in her preliminary round before going on to add an additional 166.10 points in the semifinals and finals.
She will hit the pool next when the Class AA state meet begins at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on Thursday, Nov. 13.
The one-meter diving preliminary rounds will begin at 6 p.m.
Kasten’s diving teammate Myla Anderson also had a stellar showing at sections, but fell one spot shy of qualifying for state in fifth place.
The eighth-grade phenom had a strong start putting up 129.35 points in the preliminary round and 199.95 points in the semis to claim fourth place heading into the final round.
However, her meet would end in heartbreak after her final tally of 268.60 was just 0.35 points shy of fourth place, ending her season.
While the Huskies’ divers recognized plenty of success in the pools, the swim team had a much different day.
Owatonna finished its meet in last place with 120 points, falling 74 shy of New Prague for seventh.