Published: January 10, 2007 10:55 pm      

HS DIVING: NT's Hoffman no longer an underdog

NORTH TONAWANDA — A little competition with your buddies is always fun, right?

Especially when those friends happen to have placed among the state’s elite, as is the case with North Tonawanda diver Shawn Hoffman, the fourth-best high school diver in last year’s state competitions.

While Hoffman’s accomplishments as a sophomore were impressive, he had even loftier goals in this, his junior year. To beat Ian O’Rourke, the Grand Island diver who’s taken the state title in each of the last two seasons, and Lancaster’s Nate Geary would give Hoffman bragging rights when the three get together at UB’s Wings program.

Hoffman has done just that, stunning the local diving world by upsetting O’Rourke twice this season in head-to-head meetings.

“It’s a friendly competitive thing. Every since I’ve been seriously diving, I’ve chased him,” Hoffman said of his relationship with O’Rourke. “He set the standard in our area. It’s always kind of been my goal to take a run and see what I can do. It’s been good so far.”

O’Rourke is still considered the favorite, as would be assumed with consecutive state titles to his credit. But Hoffman’s second win over the reigning champ gave him a major shot of credibility in the diving world.

Niagara Falls coach Ed Maynard admitted he was stunned to hear that Hoffman had beaten O’Rourke twice.

“It was definitely a surprise. The first time you think maybe it was a fluke, but beating the state champ twice in a row, that’s not a fluke,” Maynard said. “But he’s a hardworking kid.

“We were very surprised. We’ve been watching (Hoffman) for the past few years and he just really just kind of blossomed. Kind of worked for it and he’s diving beautifully right now.”

Hoffman said he knew after burying his first dive on Tuesday, a reverse pike, that he had a chance to beat O’Rourke again. Hoffman had been struggling with his opening dive in recent weeks, but stuck it on Tuesday.

“I came out and absolutely drilled it, the best I’ve done it in a long time,” he said. “And that really got me going. It was a good feeling.”

What Maynard said is even more incredible than Hoffman’s wins over O’Rourke is his prowess in the pool. He’s one of the league’s best in the 100 butterfly and contributes in other ways.

“He’s a natural athlete, a nice kid and he’s well-liked by the others,” Maynard said. “He can do some amazing things.”

But with added accomplishment comes added pressure and Hoffman, who knows he’s drawn the full attention of a friend who happens to be a two-time state champ, knows he’s got work ahead.

“I used to be the underdog, where it was a win-win, as long as I competed,” he said. “Now I’ve got a little bit of added pressure. But I usually do well in pressure situations. I don’t want to jinx it, but I do.”

Contact group sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, Ext. 2266.