Beacon Falls’ Battis looking to help Owls defend their title

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Rachael Battis, of Beacon Falls, qualified for the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association championships this weekend. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
KEENE,N.H.-Woodland alum Rachael Battis, of Beacon Falls, is one of four Keene State College divers to qualify for the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association championships.

The diving portion of the championships is this weekend, Feb. 12 and 13, at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. The women Owls are looking for their fourth straight championship.

Battis got into diving after a back injury forced her to give up gymnastics, according to a prepared release issued by the college. She competed in gymnastics for four years at Woodland Regional High School, winning the conference championship her final two years, according to the release.

When it comes to diving, Battis said, in the release, having a gymnastics background can be a help and a hindrance. “It definitely helps that you have body awareness, but you have to learn to use the board to get your height,” she said. “In gymnastics it’s all muscle.”

If everything goes well this weekend, Battis could find herself diving in the NCAA championships.