Marcos grad, aiming for gold in Olympics diving, boosts resolve of today’s students

sam dorman 3By Jill Hanks

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We can only hope the subtitle of the 2010 Marcos de Niza yearbook is a sign of what’s to come this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Libro de Oro 2010” is written on the front of the year book. It means book of gold. And in August, Sam Dorman, a member of the senior class, will go for the Gold Medal as he represents Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

On July 23 at the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials, Sam and his dive partner Michael Hixon, won the synchronized 3m springboard competition and punched their tickets to Rio.

Sam told TUHSD, “It’s been a dream of mine since I started diving to make the Olympic team and to have that finally happen has been a blessing and a dream come true. I’ve worked so hard these past years and it’s nice to know the hard work has finally paid off.”

Sam, who won three straight dive state championships while a student Marcos, began diving at the age of 8. There were countless hours of practice at the pool at McClintock High School and at age 16, he won his first national title. Back in 2010, the yearbook writers said “Sam Dorman was the story of the year” and “he has his sights set on a future Summer Olympic Games.”

Bart Baumler was Sam’s high school coach and he remains the Padres’ swim and dive coach today.

 “Sam was a great kid and an excellent diver from the get-go,” said Coach Baumler, who was also impressed by Sam’s willingness to help out the swim team, which had decreased in size, by volunteering to swim in some of the relay events. He said because of Sam’s participation, the swim team was able to qualify for State.

When Baumler heard the news that the former star of his diving team had qualified for the Olympics, he exclaimed, “Wow! That is awesome…
I just watched him compete the other night and he was just incredible.”

Coach Baumler remembers that he always told Sam to keep his grades up.

“Your brain is just as important as your body,” he said.

Sam’s grades and his talent on the diving board earned the Tempe native a scholarship to the University of Miami where he became the NCAA Champion in the 3-meter and was named ACC Men’s Diver of the Year.

Baumler hopes Sam’s story inspires current students at Marcos.

“This is phenomenal for Sam but it’s phenomenal for the kids at Marcos de Niza, too,” Baumler said. Sam was a normal kid. He had genetic ability, too, but he had to put in the effort. I hope the kids say ‘he succeeded, we can too.”

Jill Hanks is executive director of community relations for the Tempe Union High School District.

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