Dec. 9, 2008

TOWER... a small but influential part of my story. Although I have been diving for nine years, I am just beginning my journey as a platform diver, and it has been quite an adventure so far!

I can clearly remember this time last year, and it is incredible to think about how much has changed. Everything isn't new and different anymore, and I have transitioned into my sophomore year. My timid days as a freshman are gone as I am now overcoming challenges to better myself as a diver and as a person.

CONFIDENCE... The long walk up to the ten-meter platform always makes me a little nervous and even nauseous at times, but with a lot of physical and mental training I've learned to channel my energy into power that I can use on the boards.

Diving from the ten-meter board is far from easy, but the mental game is the greatest challenge. Through continuous work with Tennessee diving coach Dave Parrington and a sports psychologist, I've learned that fear can be debilitating or advantageous.

When I step on the ten-meter board, I let go of my doubts and fears, and focus on the dive at hand. By learning to be a more confident diver, I haven't eliminated my fear of platform diving, but I dive with purpose. Honestly, just believing in my ability and strength has been one of the greatest changes I've made as a diver. I still have a lot of room for improvement, but the influence of my confidence on my diving is clear.

CHANGE... When I was thirteen, I told Dave that I would never be a college diver and so his attempt to make me a platform diver was pointless. I thought tower diving was ridiculous. It seemed horribly high, and I did not want to risk landing flat on the water coming from 33 feet away. Pain and fear were the only words I connected to the ten-meter.

Well, like I said, I've changed a lot. And to make it official: I am a platform diver. Dave wins. Although I still think diving from ten-meters is absolutely ridiculous, I say it with much more passion and respect than I used to. Diving platform is a love-hate relationship, but the lessons I have learned so far and the ones of the future will surely benefit me for the rest of my life.