By Katelyn Weisbrod

Walking in the footsteps of greatness is something many athletes. Junior Colin Eason is one of three divers on the SAHS boys swim and dive team, and he is ready to take the board.

Eason started diving for Stillwater when he was in seventh grade. His sister, Kaleigh Eason, inspired him to try the sport. He was fortunate to stumble into something he liked and was very good at. Eason has represented Stillwater at the state meet for three years. He won the section meet last year, triumphing over his teammate Liam Gibb.

Gibb, who graduated in 2013, was one of Stillwater’s greatest divers. Eason looked up to Gibb like a swimmer would look up to Michael Phelps. They built each other up to be the best divers they could be.

“You could say we were competitive, but in a friendly way,” said Eason. “He almost always beat me, and I was stoked when I finally beat him in sections.”

Junior Anthony Shanley is another diver for Stillwater. He and Eason also have their friendly rivalry. They always support and encourage each other no matter the circumstances.

“Anthony is what keeps me in diving. He keeps it fun for me,” said Eason. “With this comes the competition and it is great for us. We push each other to do well, in practice as well as school, but it goes much further than that. We really are friends when it comes down to it, no matter how well we do.”

Shanley joined the team two years later than Eason, but that did not diminish their friendship. They challenge each other constantly.

“He’s a good friend,” said Shanley. “During meets, we’re pretty encouraging. We get each other going.”

Eason’s coach, Carrie Madeline, has known him since he began diving. She also coached his sister when she was on the team.

“He came out and I could tell he would become a diver,” said Madeline. “He has a lot of determination.”

Every year in any sport, talented seniors move on, leaving space for younger athletes to take their place. Diving is no different. Eason is becoming one of the older divers, and younger ones begin to challenge him.

“I think it’s good for new divers to show the older ones that they are still wild cards, and for me that only makes me put more effort in,” said Eason. “Competition in any form is good in my book.”

Eason placed 17th in the state meet last March. This year he has much bigger goals.

“Last year had its ups and downs, but this year I am planning to get top eight in state at the very least,” said Eason.

Competition is a powerful asset in the sport of diving. Eason has learned to take this and use it to make himself the greatest diver he can be. Whether he is trying to match up with his teammates, or is fighting for a medal at the state meet, Eason knows to channel his competitive spirit into his dives, and that is what makes him incredible.