decade as defensive coordinator for Mark Dantonio and has instituted an aggressive approach in which the Panthers find exotic ways to bring pressure.Pitt can get to the quarterback. The Panthers are tied

In 2014 my younger sister Kirsten passed away. It was a hard time for me and my family, so I left diving for about a month, just to be with my family.It wasnt difficult to turn my back on diving at that time. I wasnt really thinking about anything other than being with my family. We were just trying to be there for each other and help each other move past her passing; not necessarily get through it -- because you never really get through it -- but just being there for each other when we needed it.It was hard even thinking about ever doing anything again; life isnt the same. It feels like time stops and a part of you doesnt want to keep moving forward and you dont want to do anything. How can you do anything without that person there, when theyve been there your whole life?I couldnt comprehend ever being able to keep going without Kirsten there. I didnt really think about diving at all.I couldnt imagine moving forward or doing anything after her passing; I just felt really confused. I feel like part of you dies, and youre not the same anymore. But to have something to help you take your mind off it and give you a reason to keep going, is really important, I think.After about a month out of diving, I decided to go back and see how Id go. Realistically, I started using it as a distraction; a way to keep my mind off things and almost help me get through her passing.I wasnt really thinking about competitions. I just wanted to get back into doing something that would keep my mind from constantly thinking...It was really good to put everything into something again.You need a lot of concentration in diving, so at training it was hard for little things outside of diving to creep into my mind. Ive always been a really focused athlete, so diving became a place where I could give my mind a bit of a break.Kirstens passing is always going to be hard; theres never a time when Im not thinking about it, and sometimes its really hard to pull myself out of that dark place. You want to be there for your family, but its hard.Returning to diving wasnt necessarily hard, because every day is hard. At the beginning, diving was a break for my mind to stop thinking about some of those dark thoughts; everything was a bit of a struggle, but it was nice to have something else to think about.From that time in my life through to now, and probably forever ... its just been hard in general, and I dont think it will ever get easier.I dont know if the way I grieved was the right or wrong way, but I can understand why people bury themselves in work because I feel that Ive almost done that by going back to diving. It gave me an appreciation for diving because I sort of understand that life is short, but at the same time I dont know if thats just me trying to make my way through it.I had the time with my family, but it almost seemed as though we decided to go back to the things we were doing. I dont necessarily think that period of grieving time is over; I feel like we almost havent dealt with it.I find it really hard to think about it still; if I think about it too much I find it really hard to deal with. So diving has become my distraction; maybe that isnt a good thing, but for my family and me that was the only way I could keep going. I dont think I was going to be able to function otherwise if I didnt keep myself moving or throwing myself into projects. If it wasnt diving, it would have been something else just to keep my mind occupied.But were all still happy; everything we still achieve -- me with my diving, and weightlifting for my brother and sister -- were really happy for each other. But I think weve all definitely used the things that we love to help keep us moving forward.When I go to competitions, I definitely feel like Kirsten helps me through. I dont really believe in seeing any signs of her, but I just know in the heart that shes there looking out for me and the family.There are some moments, when good things happen in the family, when my siblings perform well in competitions, I just really wish I could share them with her -- not just for me, but for my family.For my family and me, we have little things that help us remember her.Kirsten had these stuffed bunnies that she loved; they were really soft, and she never used to like people touching them -- because she wanted them in pristine condition. We all have matching ones now; I think I have about three of them. I keep two in pristine condition, and one of them I take around with me everywhere.I keep a little photo frame of a picture of Kirsten and me, and they -- the frame and the toy -- sit on my bedside table, and I take them everywhere I go.Theyll both definitely be joining me in Rio. When I wake up each day, shell be the first thing I see.Cincinnati Reds Shirts . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. Cincinnati Reds Gear . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Cheap Reds Jerseys .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Stitched Reds Jerseys . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons.PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi hasnt lost faith in his secondary, though theres plenty to work on after surrendering 872 yards through the air in the last two games, including 540 to Oklahoma States Mason Rudolph in a 45-38 loss on Saturday.Theyve got to understand it works when you do it right, Narduzzi said Monday. It doesnt work if you dont do it right. If you continue to do it your way, were going to have problems.The Panthers had plenty of issues against the Cowboys, namely keeping Oklahoma State wide receivers within arms reach.It started on the first play -- a 91-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Rudolph to Washington -- and never really stopped, the winning score with 1:28 remaining coming after an 86-yard strike from Rudolph to Jhajuan Sales. Narduzzi made sure to spread the blame around, from the coaching staff to pass rush to cornerbacks defensive backs like Avonte Maddox, who spent the majority of the afternoon on the wrong end of highlight reel catches by Washington.Maddox took responsibility afterward, though Narduzzi stressed he has no interest in making personnel changes heading into this weeks ACC opener against North Carolina (2-1).Avonte Maddox is our best corner, Narduzzi said.One who will need to shrug it off quickly if the Panthers (2-1) want to take a step forward in the wide-open Coastal Division. The Tar Heels are the defending division champion and quarterback Mitch Trubisky had touchdown throws of 71 and 75 yards in a breezy 56-28 victory over James Madison over the weekend. Trubisky, however, isnt ready to say his team has a decided advantage while facing the 102nd rranked pass defense in the country.ddddddddddddI think theyre a lot better than what theyve given up and I think theyre going to come in here very hungry so weve got to have a great week of practice if we want to do something like that, Trubisky said on Monday. I think theyre going to come in here with the mindset that theyre going to shut us down and really clean up what theyve got going on defense.Just dont expect any sort of major schematic overhaul. Narduzzi made his name by making Michigan States defense one of the best in the country while serving nearly a decade as defensive coordinator for Mark Dantonio and has instituted an aggressive approach in which the Panthers find exotic ways to bring pressure.Pitt can get to the quarterback. The Panthers are tied for fifth in the country in sacks (13) and tied the game in the third quarter against the Cowboys when Ejuan Price barreled into Rudolph and Matt Galambos returned the ensuing fumble 2 yards for a touchdown.The problem is what happens when the rush doesnt collapse the pocket.The (defensive) line definitely has to own some of that, Price said. We left the DBs out to dry and we have to own that.Maybe, but Narduzzi is well aware that the guys in the defensive backfield have to do their job too.They are on an island out there and eventually they have to make a play on the ball, he said. It doesnt really matter what the coverage is. Its hard to give them help all the time.---AP College Football site: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '