This season, junior diver Jack Cullen broke the White Plains High School 11-dive record three separate times. Achieving a milestone like that requires an enormous amount of dedication to the sport. A typical in-season day for Cullen shows just how much work goes into competing at that level.

5:45 a.m. — Wake up

6:30–7:30 a.m. — WPHS diving practice

7:40 a.m.–2:30 p.m. — School

2:30–3:30 p.m. — WPHS swim practice

5–7 p.m. — New York Dive Club practice

7:30–10:45 p.m. — Homework

11 p.m. — Sleep

Between morning diving practice, afternoon swim practice and evening club training, Cullen spends roughly four hours each day practicing in the pool or on the diving board. With such a demanding routine, staying energized can be a challenge.

“The hardest part is staying energized and keeping up with everything throughout the day,” Cullen said.

Cullen started diving in seventh grade, and he joined the White Plains varsity swim team as an eighth grader. Since then, he has qualified for Sectionals four times and has continued to improve each season.

Cullen welcomes the intensity of his schedule. “I enjoy having a lot of opportunity to improve, which comes from practicing a large amount,” he said.

Although diving is an individual sport, Cullen says the team environment is one of his favorite parts of competing for White Plains.

“My favorite part of being on the team is the community,” Cullen said. “Everyone is really supportive and it feels like a family.”

Cullen’s favorite dive is the front two-and-a-half somersault tuck, a challenging dive that requires both precision and control.

His success in the pool has also drawn attention from college programs. Cullen is currently being recruited to dive at schools including Middlebury, Colgate, Babson and Tufts.

Looking ahead to his senior season, Cullen has several goals he hopes to accomplish. He aims to qualify for the state championships, commit to a college diving program and break the school’s six-dive record.