THORNTON – Ascending to the top of the podium in the diving competition at the state championships is as easy as 3-2-1 for Highlands Ranch senior Andrew Garrison.

Garrison, third as a sophomore and second as a junior, earned the 5A state title as a senior on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
 
"It feels great," Garrison said. "It feels like I've made good progress over my whole high school diving career."
 
Garrison won the title by accumulating 616.30 points. Dennis Kolesnikov of Northfield (third last year) was second with 585.55 and Carter Bachman of Northfield (seventh last year) was third with 557.25.
 
With the three-year championship reign of Cherry Creek's Luke Ogren having ended, Garrison had a clear path to the top and he took full advantage of it.
 
"I was just having fun diving," Garrison said. "I just got back from an international competition, and I took my experience from that into feeling confident here. I got my routines set, I was having fun and I had a great cheering section. I was very happy."
 
Garrison scored 509.60 as a sophomore at state and 541.60 last year.
 
His dives were on point all day.
 
"My favorite was 305 (reverse 2 ½ somersault tuck)," Garrison said. "I was very happy with it."
 
In about a month, Garrison will be off to continue his diving career at the U.S. Naval Academy. He said a handful of his uncles, three cousins and two grandfathers have also served in various branches of the military.
 
At Navy, Ogren will be among his teammates.
 
"I'm hoping to keep playing and get an aviation spot," Garrison said. "I don't know how long I'll do that, but I'm hoping for a good military career."