By: Kasey Vangelov
By now, it’s safe to say that one of the best divers that has ever attended East High School is current member of our Junior class, Timmy Finley. Timmy dives for both East High school and the UB Wings Diving program, juggling it with Interhigh, being a Link Leader, Girl-Up, Citizens of the World, and soon, NHS. Despite his ever growing schedule, he manages to consistently improve on his diving skills, doing better and better, year after year.
Throughout his entire high school career, he has impressed not only Williamsville East, but a number of schools in Western New York with his numerous accomplishments in diving. Just this year, Timmy has broken more than four school diving records, and he has placed 11th at States.
Looking back on some of his achievements, Timmy said, “The very first time I broke the 30 year old school record was in my Sophomore year; since then, I’ve broken East’s record maybe six times over and Transit’s five times. This year, I’ve broken the East pool record, the Hamburg pool record, the West Seneca East pool record, and the Frontier pool record… I might have another one or two, but I lost track.
Timmy first began diving when he was eight years old, quitting when he was about ten to pursue gymnastics. During his Freshman year, he decided that diving was a better fit for him, and he returned to the sport. Every year since then, Timmy has competed in States, most recently placing eleventh out of thirty one divers. Sophomore year he placed twelfth out of fifty four, and Freshman year thirty fourth out of forty six due to an unlucky board hit. In both his Freshman and Junior year he won ECICs, and this year he also won sectionals.
Timmy may continue with diving after he graduates from East, although he says it depends on what his future college’s diving program is like. Timmy said, “I’m going to choose what school I’m going to and then see if I want to dive afterwards.” No matter if he decides to keep up diving or not, Timmy recognizes that it has become a part of him. “I dive because it comes really naturally to me. Because of this, I feel like it would be a waste for me not to, even if I get tired of it every now and then.” He joked, “If I were bad at diving, I honestly don’t know if I would still be doing it. Sometimes the meets feel like they take days, but it’s fun to always win!”
