Ian Haemker asked his mom to stop the car. He didn’t want to play football anymore. He just wanted to dive.

    As a freshman, Haemker qualified for the state diving competition, placing fourteenth out of sixteen. Though he didn’t take first, Haemker felt content in making the milestone of state his first year.

    “I think it’s pretty cool.” Haemker said. “I was hoping to win. I guess I did pretty good for a freshman.”

    At the district, regional and state competition, Haemker felt overwhelmed by the talent of the older competitors.

    “Watching all the older guys, they’re doing a lot of harder dives and I’m just like wow,” Haemker said. “One day I hope to get up there and have the same dives as them.”

    During the regional meet, the score board malfunctioned, leaving Denise Haemker, Ian’s mother, unable to see the rankings of the competition. Trying to keep track of the dives scores in her head, she knew Ian would end up in the top three.

    “I looked at Ian and they announced him as the first place diver,” Mrs. Haemker said. “Ian just looked at me and had the biggest smile on his face.”

    Leaving the regional competition, Haemker was overjoyed at the results.

    “He was very excited and thrilled,” Haemker’s father Steven Haemker said. “When he got to the car he called both of his grandparents to let them know what he had just accomplished.” 

    Haemker’s success came with the support of his friends and family. Remaining competitive with his older brother Craig Haemker led to his success in diving

    “We always push each other to do as hard as we can no matter what it is,” Senior Craig Haemker said.   

    Despite Haemker’s accomplishment, Mrs. Haemker has not seen any difference in character or attitude. 

    “I feel Ian has not changed,” Mrs. Haemker said. “Ian has always been the type of kid that lives his life one day at a time and never takes anything for granted.”

    Haemker plans to continue diving and succeed further in the future.

    “I’m hoping to go back to state these next three years and take first,” Haemker said.

    Haemker’s ambition doesn’t stop with high school or college diving. Future competitions require more effort, and Haemker plans to improve.

    “I think about going to the Olympics,” Haemker said, “but I know I have a lot to do before I get the chance to go to the Olympics.”