Cicanese Striving For Excellence

Watching Matt Cicanese dive is like watching a major-league ballplayer hit a home run. The movements are synchronized and appear effortless, as if in slow motion.

"It's all about timing. You have to know how to get maximum height, how to control every part of your body and when to open up," said Cicanese.

Although he remembers jumping off diving boards as early as age 4, it wasn't until he began his sophomore year in high school that Cicanese received formal diving lessons. That year, he won the district diving championship, placed in the regional competition and went on to the state finals. He repeated the feat this year as well.

Part of the reason for Cicanese's success is due to his desire for excellence.

"Once I can complete a dive, I then aim to do it better," he said.

One of the dives he has successfully mastered is the 2 1/2 forward somersault. Very few standard high school competitors even attempt this maneuver because of its high degree of difficulty.

Cicanese's training routine is demanding. Before entering a swimming pool, he spends several hours indoors jumping off a diving board onto a bed of foam padding called a dry board. The diver wears a harness and practices the somersaults, turns and flips needed to accomplish the dives.

"Diving is a dangerous sport, even in a harness," he said.

While in a harness, Cicanese once injured his shoulder by making an incorrect turn. The injury took more than two months to heal.

He also spends numerous hours on a trampoline, building flexibility, and climbing ropes and trees to increase his strength. His goal for his senior season will be to repeat as district champion, but also to move on to regional and state.

In addition to being an outstanding athlete, Cicanese excels in the classroom. He is one of a handful of honor students at Pasco High involved in dual enrollment, which allows a high school student to earn college credit.

"The English composition class has been a beneficial experience. In the past, writing was not my strength. This college course has helped me get my ideas on paper easier," he said.

Cicanese is also involved in the Boy Scouts. He is awaiting confirmation of his Eagle Scout rank, which is awarded to fewer than 5 percent of all scouts. Part of the requirement to achieve this award is to demonstrate leadership, service and outdoor skills. During the summer, Cicanese was appointed to navigate 12 campers during one day of a 75-mile backpacking trek in New Mexico.

"It was a tremendous responsibility, but a rewarding experience overall," he said.

Many of the faculty at Pasco High are pleased that one of their student-athletes is being recognized for a positive contribution.

"I'm so impressed by this young man. He embodies the best of the American dream," says geometry teacher Carol Stout.