History beckons for Kyle Goodwin.
The Regis Jesuit senior is looking to flip and twist his way into uncharted territory for Colorado high school boy divers as he tries for his fourth individual state title.
A tall task for sure, but Goodwin said he’s trying to not let the pressure get to him.
“I’ve spent the last three years training as best I can,” Goodwin said, “and just knowing whatever happens, I’ll be happy.”
The 5-foot-8 Goodwin is a key component in Regis Jesuit’s attempt to add another chapter to its storied boys swim and dive team, which has won the last four state team titles and 21 of the past 23, at the Class 5A state meet in May.
A nationally ranked diver coming out of middle school, Goodwin admitted that the thought of winning four straight titles was something he could do. His coaches agreed.
“We had a pretty good idea coming into high school he was going to be a contender right away,” Regis Jesuit coach Nick Frasersmith said. “He definitely proved that to be true.”
Goodwin garnered national attention at a young age. Then a stunted his ability to dive.
“My coach worked with me to get me back to square one and then work my way back up,” Goodwin said. “It was frustrating, but honestly, I think it was better for me.”
The reinforcement of his fundamentals has helped create a solid foundation.
“His mechanics were just spot on,” Regis Jesuit diving coach Taylor Roberts said, recalling Goodwin as a freshman. “It was one of the pieces that really has to be a focus when you’re starting out with a young kid — the mechanics are correct so they can progress through the mechanics when you’re picking up your dive.”
Goodwin commutes to the Air Force Academy a few times a week to work on his platform dives — sometimes after finishing practice at Regis Jesuit. That hard work, along with a 3.7 grade-point average, earned him a scholarship to the University of Missouri.
“He’s one of the best divers I’ve ever seen,” Roberts said. “His aesthetics, his form, his line, it’s something for him that’s a little more innate. But his aesthetics really aren’t matched in Colorado history.”
Roberts said he thinks Goodwin will develop into a fantastic platform diver, given his entries into the water. It’s showing on the national level. He finished sixth in the 3-meter platform at the 2014 USA Diving Junior National Championships and reached the final in the synchronized boys 3-meter springboard.
Goodwin hopes to make it to the U.S. Olympic Trials, but there’s still unfinished business here.
“Obviously, he has a much longer career after his high school,” Roberts said, “but the argument has to be made that he’s one of the greatest (in Colorado), if not the greatest of all time.”
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joenguyen
Four-timers club
Regis Jesuit senior Kyle Goodwin is looking to become the third diver — and first boy — to win four consecutive state diving titles. Here’s a look at the others:
Michal Bower, Loveland (2010-13)
Alexa Beckwith, St. Mary’s Academy (2011-14)
