Senior Athlete Makes a Splash With Ski Tricks

Name: Jason Cardillo

Graduating Class: 2012

Team: Hopkinton High School swim team (diver), Baseball (pitcher) and avid freestyle skier.

Hopkinton Patch: How is the season going for you so far?

Jason Cardillo: I just qualified for states with my best score of 202.2. I was pretty psyched.

Patch: When did you become interested in diving?

Cardillo: I started diving 3 or 4 years ago. I have been skiing since I was five and became interested in freestyle skiing. I do a lot of aerials with my freestyle skiing and thought it would be a nice transition into diving.

Patch: What are your best dives?

Cardillo: I have a series of six dives, but my favorites are; a reverse - flip-forward double 1-1/2, a back -  double - inward-1-1/2 and 1-sommersalt with a twist.

Patch: What are your goals this season?

Cardillo: I would like the team to win the league, and I would like to do well at states.

Patch: How do you manage the pressure?

Cardillo: Before a meet I sort of get nervous, but once I am up on the board it  goes away. On the board I am focused and thinking about what I need to do.

Patch: Do you have any advice to younger divers?

Cardillo: Work hard and listen to your coach. Alway's get up when you fall. I have hit my face hard on the water many times, but always manage to get up and try it again.

Patch: Do you train in the off-season?

Cardillo: I ski in the off-season and it helps me prepare for diving.

Patch: What are your plans for next year?

Cardillo: I am applying to University of Vermont, University of Colorado, and a few others.