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Waterford’s Kenzie Dietz leads Washington County in state tourney trips

Waterford’s Kenzie Dietz, right, handles the ball during Thursday’s Division IV state semifinal game against Minster at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Photo by Jordan Holland

After this week, Waterford High senior Kenzie Dietz is expected to exchange her basketball shoes for a pair of golf ones.

Y’see, the 18-year Dietz is a pretty fair country golfer and a member of three state tournament Wildcat teams in the fall.

Add that to her four consecutive state hoops appearances with the Cats at the Schott in Columbus, and she has a glowing prep sports resume.

Most high school student-athletes consider themselves fortunate to compete at the state level in any sport once, let alone seven. Most, of course, will not get even that one time during their prep years.

Dietz actually has played basketball longer than she’s golfed. She’s been hooping it up since she was a third-grader.

She started golfing in the seventh grade at St. John Central Church School — and has been in love with the sport ever since.

As a Waterford sophomore, Dietz was the District Golfer of the Year. When she was a junior, she carded a personal-best 79 at Lakeside in Beverly and also had a hole-in-one on the Callaway Junior Tour at Greenhills Country Club in Ravenswood, W.Va.

Dietz closed out her high school golf career on the Ohio State University Gray Course with a team-best 80 in the first round and an 84 in the second round.

The Wildcats overall finished eighth in Division II.

Not surprising, Dietz is thinking about continuing her golf career at the collegiate level — somewhere. She’s yet to make a decision on where that place will be.

Oh, yes, she’s planning to major in pharmacy.

Thing is, the 5-foot-5 Dietz is a pretty good basketball player as well and a member of a senior class that includes Alli Kern, Megan Ball, Hayley Duff, Hannah Duff, Morgan Lang, Brianna Hart, and Liz Leach (manager).

All that class did was advance to the state tournament in Columbus four straight years.

Dietz actually started a few games on the hardwood when she was a junior after senior Jillian McCutcheon went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Dietz then injured her left knee but came back at tournament time with a brace on it.

This past season, she’s been in the rotation that comes off the bench.

Always hustling, Dietz is a scrappy player. She actually likes to play defense — and steal the ball.

That was never more evident than in Waterford’s regional semi win against previously undefeated Portsmouth Notre Dame at Jackson High.

When one of the Titan guards collapsed near half court, Dietz was there to pick up the loose ball and go in for an easy layup.

Even though Waterford dropped a 46-31 decision to Minster in Thursday’s state semi at the Schott, the WHS Wildcats are still winners and always will be in my book.

As for Dietz…well, here’s something you probably didn’t know. She enjoys skiing at Timberline in Colorado.

Do you realize, if Waterford High had a skiing program, that Wildcat team with Dietz on it probably would’ve been state-bound every year during her career?

It just stands to reason.

Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com

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