While competitive diving lacks the boisterous shouts and splashes of bridge jumping, freshman diver Alec Lane brings talent to the board that cannot go unnoticed.
Starting the moment he dove off a railroad trestle about two years ago, Lane was hooked on diving. “I thought I could really do a lot of stuff off of this,” says Lane. Before long, Lane and his friend Tom Wagner began climbing to the top of the trestle for a more thrilling dive. “That was insane,” says Lane describing the high plunge.
After realizing diving could be a talent of his, Lane joined a Bloomsburg summer diving program in eighth grade. Coaches there realized what natural talent he had and allowed him to practice with the high school team in his first year of diving.
Despite his talent, Lane faces a few difficulties with making the transition from creek to pool.
“When you’re jumping bridges, it’s just relaxed and you’re with your friends,” says Lane. “But when you’re on the board, it’s just you. It’s completely quiet, and everyone in the stands is watching you. You just have to concentrate.”
Along with tense atmosphere comes another added stress. Because the boys’ swim team is so skilled, Lane says he feels pressure to do well and help them win meets. His importance was seen earlier in the season when the team lost to Williamsport. “They were two points away and if I would have dove that day, we would have won,” says Lane.
Despite having such a great impact on the team, Lane finds that other divers often underestimate him because he is a freshman. However, once he completes his first dive, his opponents quickly realize only their very best will land them a victory.
Lane has great expectations for himself regardless of what others think. “I’m definitely excited for this year,” says Lane. “I’m hoping to win districts and get a chance at states.”
With the way things are going now, that goal could very well become a reality. In Lane’s first varsity meet, he won first place scoring a 188.54. His highest scoring dive was a front double, which scored a 6, 5.5 and 6.
With talent like that, Lane brings a splash to the pool that cannot be seen in the water (creek or chlorine), but rather in the attitude and ability that he posses.