Pearland head coach Chris Roberts and junior Sam Decker are all smiles after Decker received his silver medal for his second place finish at the 5A State Swimming and Diving Meet at the University of Texas Swim Center. (Photo by Dr. David Davis)

  Pearland junior diver Sam Decker placed second at the UIL Class 5A State Swimming and Diving meet held at the University of Texas Swim Center in Austin. He was the only member of the Pearland HS swim team who qualified for the state meet this year.
   Decker won the District 24-5A title and then captured the 5A Region VI diving crown that sent him to the state meet where he claimed the silver medal.
   At the state meet, the diving competition ended up being a two-man race as senior Drew Livingston of The Woodlands took the gold medal in record-setting style while Decker finished strong in second place.
   Livingston won the state championship with a score of 593.60 while Decker posted 493.60 points with Chris Khosravi of Fort Bend Elkins taking the bronze medal for third place with 433.75 points. Decker and Khosravi will see each other again next year as both are juniors.
   "Last year, after placing fourth at state, Sam told me that he would be in the top two for next year," Pearland head coach Chris Roberts said. "He is one of hardest working athletes that I have on the team. One of his goals at Pearland High School is to help develop a diving program."
   Decker was named as the District 24-5A and Region VI "Diver of the Year" after winning both titles.
   "I really expected to do well at state this year," Decker said. "I have worked hard all year and thought I would be one of the top two divers at state."
   Livingston is a senior which opens the door for Decker to be the favorite to win the gold medal in 2009.
   "I really think that Sam has a great opportunity to return to state next year and win the gold medal," Roberts said. "He is one of the most polite and hard-working young men you could ever work with at this level."
 
 
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