Though he was younger than all of his nearest competitors, Lake Orion diver Brandon Figurski was anything but inexperienced.
A junior at Lake Orion High School, Figurski placed second at the Division I state diving championships a year ago, knew exactly what it would take to make up the 0.85 points he lost by last time around.
‘The atmosphere brings out the best in you,? Figurski said. ‘It was definitely good to have had that exposure before.?
In addition to last year’s close state championship, Figurski has also competed in national and regional competitions in the summer that drew even larger audiences.
All of his experience was evident as he took to the board for the very last dive of the meet at the University of Michigan on March 11.
‘Tony (Dantuma) of East Kentwood nailed his dive right before me,? Figurski said. ‘I knew I was going to have to hit my dive just to get a top three finish.?
Figurski took his time visualizing the dive before executing it at near perfection.
He had to wait for the scores to come up, but when they did, his 407.60 points was 15 clear of the senior Dantuma.
Four other seniors, including last year’s champ, Dan Smith of Rockford, rounded out the top six.
‘I’m not a senior,? Figurski said. ‘So I felt like I had nothing to lose and I think that helped a lot.?
A top three finish was Figurski’s goal going in, because of the tougher competition and setbacks he faced earlier in the competition.
But it all came together for him when it counted most, and Figurski became the first Orion diver to capture a state title.
‘I was ecstatic,? he said. ‘I walked over to my mom and we were hugging and crying. It was very emotional.?
Figurski faced eligibility issues early in the season that made his practice routine very inconsistent.
His first meet of the season wasn’t until the middle of January, but he set a new pool record at that meet and continued to improve as the season progressed.
‘Getting through all of those setbacks made it even better in the end,? he admitted.
A relative newcomer in the sport, Figurski spent 10 years in gymnastics before undergoing shoulder surgery in March of 2003, forcing him to reevaluate his future in the sport.
‘When I had recovered a year later, I went back, and on the first day I decided it just wasn’t for me anymore,? he said.
A friend on the swim team encouraged him to take up diving, and Figurski took a couple of classes. Within just two years of taking up the sport, he already has first and second place trophies to show for it.
Figurski’s win at states also helped the team finish sixth overall. Though divers train differently than swimmers do, and are often more isolated, Figurski said the whole team had a close bond.
‘I like getting those points for the team,? he said. ‘But I do wish we would have finished a bit better.
‘In the end we’re all together,? he added. ‘We’re all good friends.?
While Figurski was winning his title, his off-season training partner, Adam Ralph of Bloomfield Hills Andover, was competing just minutes away in Ypsilanti in the Division II championships.
Ralph, a senior, was Figurski’s main rival in the OAA I as well.
‘We go through a lot of drills and small things that deal with the approach,? Figurski said of their training regiment, with Ralph’s father as the coach.
Whatever they do, it’s clearly working, as Ralph came away with a title as well.
Figurski will no doubt be back next year to defend his title, but is already thinking about his long-term plans.
He expects diving to be part of his college life, though his primary focus will be on obtaining a degree in nursing or education.
Whichever avenue Figurski chooses to take, there is little concern that he’ll have the poise needed to succeed.