Breaking Liberty’s school diving record had been on Rachel Finn’s mind for over a year, and on Jan. 14, the Hurricane senior reached that goal by scoring 245.30 points during Liberty’s swim meet against Pocono Mountain East.

“In the back of my mind, I thought I might have gotten it because I had some harder dives that day, and they scored pretty well,” Finn said. “I was so excited because I’ve been trying to do that now for two years.”

One thing that Finn is learning is that goals such as these take time and patience.

“It’s hard because you have good days and bad days. I don’t dive year-round, so it takes awhile for me to work back up to it,” she said.

Finn’s best dive of the day was her last, a front double pike, also her favorite.

“I’m very consistent with that one. It’s fun to do and easy for me to do,” said Finn. “My reverse dive straight is another one of my favorites. Last year, especially, that was one of my best dives.”

Finn’s parents and grandparents were at Liberty on Jan. 14 to witness their daughter and granddaughter break the school record.

“My sister wanted to be there, but she decided not to come that day, and then I called her,” Finn said.

Now, Finn has another goal on her mind, breaking the pool record from which she is two points away.

“It’s definitely my goal for the rest of the year, and it’s nice to have something to work towards, but the school record before graduation, I wanted to get that really badly,” said Finn.