Wantagh Middle School Student Excels as Varsity Diver

For 13-year old Andrew Capobianco, traditional sports like football or baseball never seemed to fit the bill.

Toward the end of elementary school, Capobianco gave gymnastics a shot and finally found his niche, that is, until he took his first plunge off the diving board. As a seventh grade student at , Capobianco now competes as a varsity level diver with the Wantagh Warriors and a local club team Long Island Dive.

Earlier this month, Capobianco made history as the first seventh grader to win the Nassau County Diving Championship with a record-breaking score of 518.35 on an inward , defeating Manhasset senior Peter Magliulo.

"I really wanted it," said Capobianco. "I knew that I had a chance but I wasn't sure if I could do it. Once I hit the water I knew I did it. I was excited to know all my friends were cheering for me."

Though certainly noble, Capobianco's Feb. 8 record was not his first feat as a diver. Last summer, after competing for only 10 months, Capobianco traveled to Knoxville, Tenn. with his club team to compete at a national standpoint and managed to surpass his entire age group.

As he continues to grow as a diver, Capobianco strives to keep a balance between that and his passion as a gymnast, training seven days each week and still maintaining a 94 average in his classes at Wantagh Middle School.

"It's hard to decide right now which one I love more but I want to continue both in high school," he explained. "I think I have more options in the future with diving."

In his short time in big meets, Capobianco said he's learned that above winning, it's more important to remain a friendly, humble competitor. He believes in wishing his opponents well and hopes to get the same in return.

"If you don't have good sportsmanship, nobody else is going to like you and you won't have any friends in the sport," Capobianco said. "When you're in the middle of the meet, it's nice to have people who are there cheering you on."

With five years left on the varsity team, Capobianco sees nothing but room for improvement and he certainly holds high hopes for himself in the future.

"I hope I can get a scholarship after high school for diving and make it to the Olympics one day," he said.