Chamberlain positions Hersey for success
Things are coming together nicely for Hersey diver Pat Chamberlain in his senior season.
His 6-dive score of 225.90 that won Tuesday's meet against St. Viator is tops in the Mid-Suburban League this season, and he's unbeaten in dual meets this year.
A potentially disruptive coaching change just a few weeks before the season started has worked out just fine.
More important than all of this may be his role as a Hersey co-captain. He is providing the kind of peer leadership that can keep an entire program heading in the right direction.
"He has a real talent for working with the other divers," said veteran Hersey coach Tom Schwab. "He has this ability to grab their attention like a magnet - and I'm talking about divers at every level. He's just able to draw them in, almost like a preacher."
It helps that Chamberlain is the kind of performer who can lead by example. He is an accomplished athlete whose three years of training under Wayne Oras before this season helped lay a solid foundation. When Oras opted out of coaching before the season, Schwab - who has long guided the distinguished girls program at Hersey - assumed control of the boys program as well.
"Coach Schwab has been great," said Chamberlain. "I feel like I got a lot of great stuff from Wayne Oras, and coach Schwab has taken what we did and really added to it. The most important thing is I've learned how board work can really make a big difference in all aspects of diving."
That board work and a strong 6-dive list has put Chamberlain among the MSL elite. His best dives are his 21/2 front, inward 11/2 and his back-and-a-half.
Next weekend's MSL meet figures to feature Chamberlain, Palatine's Ian McNair, Fremd's Evan Ruggiero, Conant's Nick Rizza and Barrington's Tim Karsten battling it out for supremacy.
"Hey, I'd love to win," said Chamberlain. "What it will come down to is consistency."
Beyond the leage meet, Chamberlain hopes to be at his best for the sectional round and qualify for the state meet at New Trier. If recent results are any indication, he should do just fine when the chips are down. At Hersey's recent invitational at Olympic Pool, Chamberlain rose above a talented group of competitors to win.
But regardless of how the season turns out, Schwab will see Chamberlain's impact for several years down the road.
"He's an amazing leader," Schawb said, "He gets others in position to do the things they need to do to become more successful.
"I'm just really grateful to have somebody like him."