Mandan's Kati Hopfauf didn't begin diving until four years ago, but she began training for the sport when she was 3 years old.

Hopfauf began doing gymnastics when she was still a tyke, and she got pretty good at it. But a couple of years ago, Hopfauf was on the diving board at the Community Center Š just having fun, as she described Š when somebody suggested she give the sport a try.

It wasn't long before diving not only became her favorite sport, but Hopfauf decided to forego gymnastics altogether.

"I was was in the same level of gymnastics for four years," Hopfauf said. "It was taking up a lot of my time."

Putting her focus on diving has paid off for Hopfauf. Last year as a freshman Hopfauf was the runner-up in the state high school meet, and this summer she qualified for the YMCA nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., placing 13th.

And if Hopfauf can stay healthy, she begins the season as the favorite to claim this year's state diving championship.

The transition from gymnastics to diving is a common one Š the girls who dominate one sport in North Dakota typically are among the best in North Dakota.

"A gymnastics background helps tremendously in somersaulting dives and twisting dives," Mandan diving coach Claudia Schoellkopf said. "The big difference is that gymnasts go to their feet, and divers go to their hands. Katie was able to overcome that hurdle quickly."

"Š She has a tremendous work ethic, very good air awareness, knows where she is," Schoellkopf added. "She can orient herself for entries and knows how to save dives underwater."

Hopfauf made a quick impact for the Braves, finishing 12th in 2002 as Mandan won its fourth consecutive state tournament. The Braves slipped to third last season, but

Hopfauf continued to progress rapidly. She piled up 410.75 points at the state meet, trailing Minot senior Dani Visina but nearly 50 more than her next nearest competitor.

Hopfauf went to compete in gymnastics in the winter, but while doing a tumbling routine in February, she tore a ligament in her left ankle. Hopfauf went through physical therapy and in her words "laid low" until qualifying for the YMCA nationals. Hopfauf said that the meet was an eye-opener.

"It was definitely a big influence on me and my dives," Hopfauf said.

Schoellkopf said she noted a change in Hopfauf when she returned.

"I think the major thing was that she developed a real respect for what other divers were doing," Schoellkopf said. "She was able to see what a big improvement could be made.

"Last year she had a hard time changing positions in dives, for example on a back 1* somersault pike," she added. "Now she's more willing to try things."

The ankle is still a concern for Hopfauf, who placed second in Mandan's season-opening dual meet against Williston.

But if Hopfauf is healthy, Schoellkopf believes her potential is great.

"She's one of the divers, who, if she wanted to, has Division I kind of ability," she said.