Unbeknownst to much of the Tech, Dave Wilkinson ’09 (a.k.a. “Silky”) is having a monster season for the diving team. After going abroad in the fall, he stormed back into the NESCAC this year, coming in first place in nine of twelve meets, and taking second in the remaining three.
In addition to winning every one-meter event, he scored a personal best of 279, a full 15 points above the qualifying score for the NCAAs.
“Going to the NCAAs has been a huge goal of mine since arriving here,” Wilkinson said. “I’m really excited by the possibility.”
However, to guarantee himself a spot in the NCAA meet in March, he will need another qualifying score at either the final meet of the year (Saturday against Coast Guard Academy) or at the NESCAC championships.
Wilkinson has led a very successful diving team this season, accompanied by talented teammates JP Vallette ’10 and Chris Scott ’11. In spite of his personal successes, Wilkinson’s priorities lie with the team.
“My biggest goal is for our men’s team to all place in the top 10 [at NESCAC’s] on both boards,” he said. “If we can do that it will be a huge help to our team. I’d much rather see the team succeed than see my own success and their downfall.”
An all around athlete, Wilkinson got his nickname in high school where he played soccer and lacrosse in addition to diving. He plays on the nationally ranked lacrosse team here at Wesleyan in the spring, then takes the summer off from organized sports, before beginning diving again in the late fall.
According to Silky, diving was not his first love, despite his natural ability for the sport.
“Since coming to Wes though, it has really become a love of mine, thanks 100 percent to my coach and teammates,” Wilkinson said.
The hardest dive that Dave has ever done was a back 2 1/2 tuck off the three-meter board.
“When I am about to dive, I think about the most important things I need to do to execute a dive to my best ability,” Wilkinson explained. “For example, stand tall in the hurdle, throw the somersault hard, line up the entry, and most importantly, don’t mess it all up with some stupid mistakes or letting my mind wander.”
With the utmost concentration and body control, Wilkinson has whipped his body around in twists and tumbles all season, wowing judges and winning meets. Now he leads his team into the tough competition of the NESCAC men’s championships, with the sweet personal satisfaction of knowing that if he can dive to his maximum potential, he can qualify for the NCAA tournament and accomplish both personal and team-oriented goals. Only a few weeks of practice remain, and he has two chances to break through.
Standing above everyone else with the crowd’s eyes on him, he will shut everything out of his mind and jump toward success.
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