“A good diver is not always the one with the most natural talent,” Diving Coach Dave Likar said. “It is the one that practices hard, stays focused, tries new dives and makes changes that are needed to improve the dives they have already learned. This is what I expect from my divers.”

Diving as a sport can be both mentally and physically challenging, as sophomore Sydney Dusel knows. Having been in gymnastics for eight years until a back injury left her unable to ever participate again, Dusel turned to diving. After being in diving for two years Dusel believes it was for the best.

“I have definitely gained [from switching to diving],” Dusel said. “I have accomplished so much in the past two years.”

Dusel won State, broke all four Central diving records, Hindsdale Central’s freshman record last year and Nequa’s pool record this year as well as placing second in both the Amateur Athletic Union Nationals and USA Nationals over the summer.

Dusel’s diving coach Dave Likar believes that the possibilities of what Dusel can accomplish right now are never ending.

“Sydney’s potential right now is endless,” Likar said. “Being only a sophomore, there is a lot of time for Sydney to develop into one of the top divers in the nation.”

With such an aspiring future, Dusel has high hopes for her future as a diver.

“I want to get a scholarship to a division one diving school and also place well at nationals in both one and three meters,” Dusel said.

“I think Sydney has the ability to dive at any major Division I university,” Likar said. “Her success this year, and over the next two years will determine how she stacks up with other girls her age and if she can dive at the best diving schools in the nation.”

In order to better herself as a diver, Dusel spends many hours after school working hard. She puts a lot of effort in perfecting her diving and herself, according to Dusel.

“I’m always pushing myself to do better than before,” Dusel said. “When I make mistakes or have an off day, I use it to my advantage because it gives me a reason to work even harder and fix my mistakes.”

“Sydney is a hard worker,” Likar said. “[She is] one of the first to hop up on the diving board and one of the last to get off.  She has the ability to focus, even when she is nervous and she meets daily challenges both at practice and in meets.”

Dusel works hard to prepare herself for diving competitions, but there is more to the sport than just the physicality.

“Sydney makes changes that improve her diving no matter how afraid of the change she is or how uncomfortable the change is,” Likar said. “Sometimes when learning new dives or making a big change to a current dive, fear can set in. This is normal as the diver doesn’t want to get hurt. Being able to overcome that fear is an important lesson to learn, and Sydney does a great job with that. She can overcome a lot when it comes to the mental aspect of diving, which is difficult for some.”

With all the advantages Dusel has stacked for her, only time will tell where her diving career will lead. Dusel continues to practice daily to become a more knowledgable diver and to better herself for the next competition she competes in.