Carla Eskridge Rogers is still involved in diving and swimming, but as a mom instead of a competitor, watching her kids compete at various levels.
The 1986 Gavit grad and 2011 Hammond Sports Hall of Fame inductee is a medical assistant supervisor for Urology Group of Paducah (Ky.), LLC. She and her husband Tim live in Gilbertsville, Ky.
When she was Carla Eskridge, she set the standard for Gavit divers as she placed sixth and eighth at state in diving in 1985 and 1986 respectively. Due to economic situations, she did not continue her career in college, but she has no regrets.
"I maybe when I was younger wished I could have competed in college, but I didn't so you move on," Eskridge Rogers said. "Now, my family is my life and I will always cherish the good times I had competing at Gavit."
She was also a champion in the Indiana Junior Olympics and White River State games in 1986. The irony was she never thought she would be a diver.
"I was a gymnast and Coach Marty Jamrose kept asking me to go out for the team," Eskridge Rogers said. "He was the swim coach and football coach. He said that I was used to turning and tumbling from gymnastics, so I figured why not."
Gavit did not have a girls swimming team -- which competed in the fall -- so she swam on the boys team. She said Munster diving coach Chuck Chelich approached her about taking some diving lessons and that is when she really improved.
"I dove with all boys, but the competition made me better," she said. "I never competed with girls until the sectionals. I really learned a lot about diving and how to improve my skills.
"I have to give a lot of credit to my parents (Robert and Carol Eskridge) because they gave me a lot of support."
Now, she keeps busy with her family, but said she will make it home for the induction dinner.
"I love my job and working for the doctors I work with," Eskridge Rogers said. "I really have had a good life."
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