Sophomore Alley Taylor sticks diving title

Accomplishment: Tokay High sophomore Alley Taylor recently won the San Joaquin Athletic Association diving title.

Taylor scored 291.05 points on 11 dives to qualify for the subsections, where she will compete in the JV level on Thursday at Johansen High. The top eight then advance to sections in Rocklin on Saturday.

Family: Diane and Mike Alley, parents; one sister.

Favorite subject: "Spanish," Alley said. "My coach, Mr. Rohde, is my teacher and I spend a lot of time with him. He makes class fun."

Alley Taylor

Favorite sport: Alley, who is also a cheerleader, says she enjoys both equally.

"I did gymnastics for six years so it makes cheerleading easier," she said. "I got involved with diving because my sister recommended it and I've been hooked since."

Favorite athlete: Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James.

Favorite hobby: "Talking on the phone," Alley said.

Crowning achievement: "Winning the league meet," said Alley, who took third in the SJAA as a freshman. "I'd also like to do better than 10th place, which is where I finished in sections last year."

Would like to meet: "Blink 182," Alley said. "I saw them in concert and they were pretty good."

Plans: Alley plans on attending a four-year college and she says she would like to continue diving.

Coach's comment: "The dives she does she does well," (Kyle) Rohde said. "She peaked at the right time for league meet, which is great."

The Athlete of the Week is selected by the News-Sentinel sports staff. Nominations are gladly accepted. Alley will receive a T-shirt courtesy of Lodi Sporting Goods for being selected.