It Was a Very Good Year!

It has been a fabulous year for Charles (C.J.) Kambe ’06. In November, he was named one of the top divers in the nation by The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA). The prestigious ranking is based on the highest scores earned by divers in high school competitions in either public or private high schools throughout the country. During the regular competition season, he was not only undefeated, but broke six pool records at Westminster, Hotchkiss, Williston, and Kent. He earned first place at the Western New England Championships, and then, in March, C.J. placed first in diving in the New England Prep School Swimming and Diving Championships by beating his nearest competitor by more than 70 points!

An honors student, C.J. was accepted at Brown University where he hopes to continue his outstanding diving career. During the recent Winter Awards Ceremony in Werner Centennial Theater, C.J. was presented with the prestigious Headmaster’s Award for achievement in the areas of sportsmanship, service, leadership, and citizenship.

Headmaster W. Graham Cole, Jr. said that C.J. had achieved the very highest levels in his sport of diving and had brought great distinction to Westminster. As co-captain of the swimming and diving team, he was also presented with the Frederick D. Houghton Award for the team with the best season, thanks in part to the first place points that he regularly garnered in diving meets.  “Anyone who watched C.J. in action can testify to the athleticism, beauty, and grace of his performances,” Headmaster Cole told the audience

School Athletic Career
C.J. began his diving career as a Third Former in 2003 when his then Fourths Soccer Coach Elliot Dickson ’98 observed him on the field. “C.J. was doing back hand springs and showing us how he could do a soccer throw in by taking a running start and doing a flip while launching the ball into the field. It was very impressive,” said Mr. Dickson, who also happens to be a swimming coach and immediately encouraged C.J. to try out for the swim team.
“Mr. Dickson recruited me for diving because he felt that I had good aptitude for the sport, but I never would have considered it myself,” C.J. admitted. He began training with Westminster Head Swimming and Diving Coach Mary Pat Gritzmacher, a former All-American diver herself from Yale. “C.J. was a very quick learner,” she explained. “By the end of the season he had mastered most of the dives.” C.J. placed 9th at the New England Championships in 2004.

“My freshman year was certainly less stressful,” C.J. confessed. “Sean Sullivan ’03 won almost every meet we went to, so it was easier to relax and just have fun with my dives. I think I was just grateful that I didn’t trip on the board or do the wrong dive.” With his early success, C.J. gained more confidence and determination. He trained an average of 14 hours a week during the regular season, and continued training ten hours a week during the off-season. By 2005, he set Westminster school records for both 6 dives and 11 dives as a Fifth Former, as well as placing second in New England.

Success
C.J. stated that he doesn’t take any credit for his success on the diving board. “It’s been because I have had good coaching and my coaches have always encouraged me to practice, which has been very effective for me. My best dives depend on the day. Certain dives go well for me when I’m feeling aggressive and brave, but others look better when I’m relaxed and can let muscle memory do the dive for me.”

“C.J. is under consideration for All-American Honors for his excellent season this year,” Ms. Gritzmacher added. “The All-American honors for divers are not given until the end of the school year, but no matter what honors he receives, C.J. has been an outstanding diver who has set a very high bar for Westminster.”