Athletics

Perfect Form

Oakland University diver Joe Smith continues to impress

Oakland University diver Joe Smith in the O'Rena

Deep Dive

icon of a calendarJune 5, 2018

icon of a pencilBy Emell Derra Adolphus

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Joe Smith seems most comfortable at the edge of a diving board. The Oakland University junior, majoring in accounting, has quickly made a name for himself as a diver who can keep a cool head under pressure, and it shows in his dedication as a student-athlete.

This year he was named the Horizon League Male Diver of the Year, and he is the first Oakland athlete to sweep diving at the Horizon League championships.

Smith is also the first male diver in Oakland history to qualify for the NCAA Division I Championships. He placed 18th in 1-meter diving with a score of 327.65 at the 2018 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was four points away from making it to the consolation finals, and that fact has strengthened his resolve for next year.

“Larry Albright, Oakland’s dive coach, helped with my progress more than ever,” says Smith. “I’d never done a three-meter before, and I was first in the three-meter last year at zones. This year, I was second in the three-meter.”

Swimming and diving head coach Pete Hovland put it best: “Joe is a dedicated hard worker. He’s focused on being the best he can be.” And his best is yet to come.

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