Diving/Swimming, Water Polo
Favorite athlete: Tom Brady
Favorite team: Cleveland Browns
Favorite memory competing in sports: Winning states freshman and sophomore year
Most embarrassing/funniest thing that has happened while competing in sports: Seeing one of my coaches split his pants while doing a demonstration
Music on playlist: “Where have you Been” - Rihanna
Future plans: Attend La Salle University to swim and dive and to further study in Education
Words to live by: “You can’t achieve new goals with old habits.”
One goal before turning 30: Travel to France
One thing people don’t know about me: I’m a half decent chef and love to cook.
By GORDON GLANTZ
When David Dian was a freshman on a powerhouse North Penn swim team, he was just trying to stay in his lane, literally and figuratively.
Now that his scholastic career is over, he has made history by putting together one of the most unique and impressive seasons in recent memory.
“He may become the first athlete to score points at the state level in both diving and individual swimming events—a rare accomplishment that speaks to his versatility, athleticism, and work ethic,” said coach Andy Walton.
Added Dian: “Last year, when I did it for the first time, we went back and we tried to find out if anybody had ever done it. There were a few swimmers who had been in relays, but no one had ever done it as an individual. It was nice being able to be able to get that achievement.”
Step by Step
As a freshman, Dian made it to districts in the 500, but not states (although he did qualify in diving).
In his sophomore year, Dian medaled in diving at districts and had a personal best in the 500.
Then, his junior year saw Dian get fifth in districts in the 500, while winning gold in diving.
Although he placed 10th in states in diving, it came with a caveat.
“Junior year was really hard because I swam the same day as diving,” said Dian. “So, while I was still swimming, all of the other divers were warming up.”
Natural Leader
Along with his incremental individual success, Dian’s teammates naturally look to him to lead.
Serving as a tri-captain on both the water polo and swim teams Dian did not shirk those responsibilities, according to Walton.
“David has been a central figure for this year’s team, providing leadership and stability throughout the season,” said Walton. “His commitment to training, willingness to take on challenges, and ability to compete across disciplines have made a significant impact on the group.
“Teammates look to him for his toughness and dedication, and he has played a key role in helping set the tone for the team.”
Dian looks back now and can pinpoint when the metamorphosis took place, in terms of going from follower to leader.
“It started out as me just being one of the other guys on the team,” he reflected. “At the end of my sophomore year and into the beginning of my junior year, a bunch of kids started coming to me for answers more. Then, by my senior year, I knew that I was the one a bunch of the guys would come to, even before going to the coach.”
The support carried over to meets.
“Even for the kids who didn’t ask me questions all the time, I was still there for them,” said Dian. “I was running around just as their cheerleader and making sure they feel supported.”
Diving In
Dian, who will swim and dive close to home at La Salle University, got his start as a youngster diving on a club team.
In a true chicken-or-the-egg scenario, swimming barely preceded diving, but diving quickly became Dian’s calling card.
He recalled: “Technically, swimming came first. I was on a summer club team. It was the second week of practicing. The diving coach came over and asked, ‘Who wants to also do diving?’ That’s how I got involved in that. So, aside from that one week, I have been doing both around the same amount of time.”
And, despite running from practice to practice to practice, he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Once I got onto that diving board, I never wanted to get off of it,” said Dian.
Contributing Early
Early in his North Penn career, Dian dove right into the deep end and was successfully able to tread water.
Aside from diving, his swimming skills were also sought after.
“During my freshman year, it was a lot about trying to figure out what event was going to be my event, just as every freshman does,” Dian recalled. “We didn’t have many distance swimmers, so my coach put me in the 500, and I swam in it every meet.”
The team winning states his freshman and sophomore year when Dian scored points for the team only added more fuel to his competitive fire.
“It was enjoyable to be part of all that,” he said.
Added Walton: “David was a key contributor to two state championship teams, and his continued success is a reflection of years of dedication to his craft.”
Taking a Breather
Those who know him best have no doubt Dian will succeed as a collegiate athlete.
“Next year, he will take his talents to the Division I level, where he will compete in both swimming and diving—an achievement that highlights just how special of an athlete he is,” said Walton.
One of four boys of Kelly and Mike Dian, La Salle was chosen not only for its geography and swimming and diving program, but for what it offers outside of the natatorium.
In addition to La Salle, he drew interest from several schools – IUP, Drexel and Towson.
“I really wanted to go into education for a major,” said Dian, whose older brother, Braeden, was a runner like dad, and younger brother, Austin, is a freshman diver. “I narrowed it down to La Salle and IUP, knowing that they both had good education programs.
“I went on visits, and I met with the coaches and the team. I ended up just really liking the coaches and the team at La Salle the best.”
Dian, who has helped with the school’s Special Olympics program, plans on becoming a health/physical education teacher and also a diving coach, as he wants to have the same impact on others that his coaches – from Jeff Faikish to Walton to diving coaches Kyle Goldbacher, Carlene Stumpo and Ian Forlini – have had on him since the age of eight.
Dian, whose twin, Jaxson, is in the marching band, made the choice back in November while helping the water polo team to a fifth-place finish in the state.
Looking back, it was a huge burden off his shoulders.
“There was definitely less pressure on me going into the swim season,” Dian explained. “I didn’t feel like I had to perform my best all of the time. It was more, like, ‘Okay, I’m going to La Salle and I still want to swim well, but I didn’t have a crazy amount of stress on myself.’”
And now that it is all over, he can temporarily enjoy life as a civilian, albeit for a few months.
“I have a little time off now,” said Dian. “I’ll just relax around the house and focus on school.”
However, it will be a change.
He said: “I always had a full schedule. I loved it. I actually hate being bored and having free time. I got so used to just having a full schedule.”
