Zachary Klobutcher '19 Recruiting Profile

Water is not soft. That is the first thing I learned about diving. My freshman year of high school my mom suggested I try out for the dive team. I was reluctant but she had fond memories of me synchro diving on the couch with my favorite stuffed animal (Mama Duck) at 3 years old. (Apparently, the Olympics were on and I tried to copy what I saw on TV.) She said, “Just try it for the first week and see if you like it.” Well, now I club dive and am chasing the school record. I started gymnastics just before my third birthday and competed until I was 14 so that has played a very big part in my success as a diver.

At twelve, my parents and I thought my gymnastics career might be over. I had dumb accident at a friend’s house and ended up in a wheelchair for almost two months. I severely contused my feet and growth plates in both ankles. After the wheelchair, I was in walking boots on crutches for another few weeks. My first year back in gymnastics was brutal and painful. My ankles were taped almost every practice and definitely for every meet, but I had an ok year and placed at state. The next year was much better but I decided at the end of it to retire from the sport I had loved for so long. Soon after I began pole vaulting and then diving came along also. I’ve been a two sport athlete since my freshman year. With the rigors of high school academics, I’ve been forced to learn good time management but I love to compete and the harder I work, the more fun I have.

For the remainder of my high school career I want to succeed to the best of my ability both academically and in the sports I compete in. I hope to continue that trend in college and earn a degree that will help me secure a comfortable living and be a productive member of society.