Benjamin Plank-Hogberg '21 Recruiting Profile

Qualifying for the Illinois State Championship in diving my sophomore is the highlight of my high school career so far, especially since I only started diving the year before.  Competing at State was not only special for me but also for my team and school because a male diver had not made it to state in more than 20 years. I came away from state feeling inspired with big goals for next year.  Being a member of the swimming and diving team has taught and challenged me a great deal from learning to be on a team where you are not only competing individually but more importantly, for the team as a whole. My freshman year, I gained knowledge about a sport I knew very little about and found that I was good at it and learned the dives quickly.  My sophomore year was unique because I was the only diver that year which could be daunting at times like during competitions. I missed having the support of a team. The positive side was I had one-on-one time with coach everyday which allowed me to work on everything and learn new dives more quickly. I have learned the value of teamwork, commitment, and perseverance. I am looking for a program that is a fit both athletically and academically.   I believe I not only have the talent to compete for a college team, but the character, work-ethic, and drive to make an immediate impact on your program. As a two-sport athlete, I know the dedication and time it takes to be successful in the classroom and in the pool.