Penn-Trafford diver Kalik commits to Akron

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 26, 2018 | 7:51 PM

The promise of athletic and academic success not far from home persuaded Penn-Trafford senior diver Paige Kalik to commit to Akron.

Kalik, the reigning WPIAL Class AAA girls 1-meter champion, plans to sign a letter of intent to the Zips in November for the 2019-20 season.

“I immediately fell in love with the campus,” Kalik said. “The environment is great and all of the girls and coaches are amazing.”

Kalik chose the Ohio public research university, which is located in a city south of Cleveland, over Toledo and James Madison.

“I briefly looked at a few others, but I was really deciding (on those three),” she said.

Kalik, who plans to study biochemistry and dreams of becoming a clinical research associate, said her goal is to find the right career path.

On the diving board, she hopes to make the Mid-American Conference championship meet all four years and at some point qualify for the NCAA Division I championship.

The Zips have been MAC swimming and diving champions the past five seasons, a streak Kalik would like to help them continue.

They tied for 39th place with Rutgers at the 2018 NCAA championship.

Penn-Trafford diving coach Mark Martini believes Kalik, a three-time WPIAL finalist who placed sixth in the PIAA the past two seasons, made a good choice.

“She (is) very excited to be going there and I think she will do well,” he said. “She is a very hard worker, (an) excellent student and, most of all, a very good person.”

Penn-Trafford swimming coach Dave Babik said Kalik continues to improve and is dedicated to her sport.

Kalik, a member of the Pitt Aquatic Club, finished 21st in the the 16-18 girls 1-meter Junior Olympic event at the USA Diving Junior National Championships over the summer.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford