From the Mat to the Pool

January 22, 2009 • By Casey Cavanagh, Contributing Writer
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HARRISONBURG, Va- Last week, the Colonial Athletic Association named JMU sophomore Jessica Everett the Diver of the Week after her commanding performance against Northeastern. She won the 3-meter springboard event with a score of 268.28, while finishing second in the 1-meter dive with a score of 280.95.

“I was definitely surprised, but I know that we have been training really hard; it’s definitely nice to be recognized for that,” Everett said.

Making Everett’s accomplishments even more impressive is the fact that she was just a recreational diver until a few years ago.

While attending Yorktown High School in Arlington, she didn’t compete for her school’s team, diving only in the summers. It was more of a hobby than a serious sport for her.

Her main focus was gymnastics, which she had done since she was four years old.

During the college search, Everett had intentions to continue participating in some form of gymnastics, whether at the club or varsity level.

Gymnastics at JMU had been cut prior to her freshman season due to Title IX, but it didn’t matter. Her desire to attend JMU outweighed her love of the sport of gymnastics.

“I knew that I wanted to come to JMU with or without gymnastics,” she said.

So, during her first semester in Harrisonburg, Everett joined JMU’s club gymnastics team, but it wasn’t nearly as competitive as she was used to.

“I missed the competitiveness and intensity of the gymnastics I had done growing up,” Everett said.

Her father suggested that she contact the swimming and diving coach at JMU. Everett said he always thought that she would be a good diver.

Sure enough, she contacted coach Becky Benson and began practicing. Over the year, she refined her diving skills and became a member of JMU’s dive team.

“I love diving now and Becky Benson has had plenty to do with that,” the sophomore said. “She is one of the main reasons why I have gotten so far and hope to get even further in my diving career.”

As a freshman, she placed second in two events in a meet against Richmond. It was her only meet of the year.

Safe to say, this year has been much different.

“One of my personal goals earlier this year was to qualify for the NCAA zone meet, which I did and I am really excited about it,” Everett said.

As far as a career in diving, Everett would like to keep competing after college. She is currently studying to be an elementary teacher.

“I think it would be cool to keep diving even after I graduate,” Everett said. “I think I would miss it too much to stop.”

Contact Casey Cavanagh at cavanacj@jmu.edu

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