With each passing meet, Kailyn Beil approaches every dive she makes for the Whitehall swim program with a growing confidence and passion.

But it wasn't that long ago that Beil had some second thoughts about plunging into the pool.

"When I first started (diving), it was scary and frustrating," said the senior, who only joined the program her junior year. "I really had to learn in a hurry to get all of the tricks and formations that I needed.

"But it has been a good transition for me so far."

Beil made the transition from swimming to gymnastics, as she has been involved in the latter sport for 13 years before she stopped performing due to stress fractures in her back.

After she ended her gymnastics career, Beil swam for the Whitehall Waves for two years before she joined the high school program.

In her first year diving, Beil finished ninth in the Lehigh Valley Conference meet and 11th overall in the District 11 meet last year.

It proved to be an enlightening year. Along with diving, Beil also swims in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 breast stroke , and 200 medley relay.

"I was definitely surprised on how I did last year," noted Beil. "I didn't think I would do that well. Now I know I can work to get even better."

Beil took the initiative and worked during the summer with her diving club, the Board Benders, at Lafayette College with her coach, Cindy O'Donnell.

"I really feel more confident with everything," said Beil. "With the extra time that I had been putting in, I hope I can finish higher this year. At the point, I know I can keep moving forward with swimming, and I haven't really thought about going back to gymnastics at all."

Her efforts has been recognized and appreciated.

"Kailyn is one of our hardest workers," said head coach Pete Rile. "She has remarkably achieved a great amount of success in such a short time. She had a solid season for us last year, and we expect her to have another good year this winter."

Beil has entertained the thought of continuing her swimming career in college next fall either on the club or collegiate level. She plans to pursue a career in either occupational therapy or therapeutic recreation, and has narrowed her college choices to Slipper Rock, Marshall, or West Chester.

However, she will miss the tight camaraderie among her teammates.

"We are a tight knit group and we really hang out a lot," she said. "We go places outside of swimming and we do have gathering like pasta parties. Jess Marselles and I always talk about our strategy before a meet and that helps relax me.

"It has been fun, and I'm looking forward to having a good season."