When senior Jonathan Helms first joined the diving team his freshman year, he never expected to excel at his sport. However, after countless hours of practice, wet swimsuits, and much determination, Helms qualified for the state championship this season—and for the fourth year in a row.
Attending the championship at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in early February, Helms brings his diving career to an end with a seventh place performance.
Closing out his career with the state meet meant a lot to Helms, as it has “been a big part of [his] life for four years.” His success and time here has left an impact on both himself and this school.
“I’ve been the only Tennessee high male diver, and now that it’s over, it’s weird,” said Helms. “A big part of my life is done and it’s crazy.”
Helms only started his dive career his freshman year, but his rich background in gymnastics gave him a strong foundation. Being familiar with a competitive environment, Helms “dove” right into this new sport.
“For the first while, it was just learning new dives and categories and trying to increase my [diving difficulty],” said Helms. “But recently, it’s been repeating dives and trying to get better form to increase my judges score.”
After many hours of practicing for diving, Helms made it to state for his first season. After rigorously working his way up to finals in that meet, Helms placed eleventh. But he knew he could do better.
Making his way to state for the second year in a row, Helms competed and made it to finals again. However, this time, he received 7th place. Helms qualified for state his junior year and walked away with ninth place.
Competing the same dives as he did at his junior season state meet, Helms focused all his practice time on perfecting both form and technique. Keeping in line with his streak, Helms qualified for the state championship for his fourth year in a row this season.
Helm’s list of dives are challenging in their own ways, some “are physically not hard at all, but just are awful to do. They suck mentally.” Others are physically challenging and require lots of technique.
When the time came to dive for his final time in his career, Helms approached the board with a look of confidence. His family and friends came to support him on his career ending meet, giving him comfort and encouragement.
“I was just trying to not be nervous and be calm and collected so I could concentrate on doing everything good,” said Helms.
In the end, Jonathan Helms received seventh place overall and second place for public schools. Although his career is over, the lessons he learned and memories he cherished will last forever.
Over the past four years he has had overwhelming support from his diving coach Brian Colley, as well as his parents, Jody and Rhonda Helms. In driving him to practice whenever he needs and always showing up with his siblings to cheer him on, they have proved themselves as heroes in his mind.
In looking back on this season and looking towards the future, one of his biggest pieces of advice is this: “don’t compare yourself to others, just do your best and be proud of yourself.”