USA Diving

Taking Flight - Diver Spotlight on Justin Dumais

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There are few who consider not making the Olympic team a blessing. Justin Dumais does. As the world watched the Games in Sydney, Dumais found his passion while soaring through the air in Texas. He was not on the 3-meter or on the platform, but in the pilot's seat of a two-seater airplane.

"I had a blast at Trials and everything went well, but I left my whole life in (Ventura) California to train for the Games," Dumais said. "I've done a lot of growing up this year, and something finally clicked. I had found something I was passionate about and wanted to pursue."

Dumais found his passion thanks to friend Pat Harrington, a sports psychologist in the Olympic Preparation Program and Air Force captain. The eldest Dumais will graduate from the University of Texas in 2002 and plans to enlist in the International Guard or Flight Reserves. No matter the outcome of the 2004 Olympic Team Trials, he plans to attend flight school and follow his mentor to the Air Force.

"Flying is not that difficult. If you can drive a car, you can fly," Dumais said. "You just have to be willing to put in a lot of time."

That's no problem for Dumais.

He began pursuing his Olympic gold-medal dream 14 years ago. Although all five Dumais children began as swimmers, they turned to diving.

"I'm sure we were all holy terrors, but we owe our parents so much," Dumais said. "Mom would drive five kids in a suburban to and from practice, three hours a day, every day. She did that seven to nine years."

Marc and Kathleen Dumais' dedication paid off in 1994 when all five of their children (Justin, Troy, Brice, Dwight and Leanne) were named Southern Pacific Association Diver of the Year in their respective age groups. Two years later, Justin would earn additional accolades. This time it would be gold on the international level.

At the 1996 International Youth Diving Meet, Dumais took second in the 1-meter event and gold on the 3-meter and platform.

"It was the first time I let everyone know who I was, and it was my first real international meet," Dumais said. "It was the first time the Chinese were there, and I blew them away on 3-meter. I needed an 8.0 to win the platform, and I got two 8.5s to win by 10 points.

"The meet showed me what I was capable of achieving. It was a step on the ladder. I'm a fan of the process, not the end result."

With the confidence from a strong international showing and the first full academic scholarship awarded from his time spent studying in the suburban, Dumais took the next step to the University of Southern California to pursue collegiate diving and a degree in chemistry.

"USC was great because I knew L.A. and it was near my family and the beach," Dumais said.

During his time in California, Dumais was named the 1998 MVP for USC Swimming and Diving and the 1998 and 1999 Pac-10 Male Diver of the Year. He was also the bronze medalist on the 1-meter and platform and finished fifth in the 3-meter at the 1999 NCAA Championships to capture three All-American honors.

Despite success on the boards, Dumais chose to transfer to the University of Texas in the fall of 1999. The move teamed up Dumais with brother Troy, although it was not the first time the two competed with one another.

At the 1997 Dallas Morning News National Diving Championships, the brothers took the bronze on synchro 3-meter. Justin and Troy also placed 11th on synchro 3-meter at the 1999 Spring National Diving Championships. When the FINA/USA Diving Grand Prix and Summer Nationals rolled around the duo's engine was at full throttle. The sibling team delivered a gold-medal performance at the Grand Prix and finished second at Summer Nationals.

"Troy was a big part why I went to Texas," Dumais said. "We are competitive with one another. It's inborn. We push each other.

"It wasn't always so great when we were kids, though. We were competitors with the same last name rather than brothers. We would always have to one-up each other. Sometimes it was stupid stuff like who could get down the stairs the fastest.

"Things have really changed over the years. We went our separate ways at college and saw what was missing. We're brothers again."

Dumais made great strides in the 1999 competitive season. He was fourth on platform at the Spring Nationals. In addition to the second place finish with Troy in the synchro 3-meter, Dumais earned the silver on individual platform and synchro platform with Mark Ruiz. Internationally, he teamed up with Ruiz to place second, fourth and fifth on synchro platform at the Torneo Internacional de Clavados, Canon XIth FINA Diving World Cup and FINA/USA Diving Grand Prix, respectively. His highest international finish as an individual was at the Great Britain International where he took silver on 3-meter.

His 2000 competitive season was under the direction of University of Texas Diving Coach Matt Scoggin.

"Matt is great. He hardly ever gets mad. I really don't know how he does it," Dumais said. "He is good for people who are self-motivated. He will point you in the right direction, and you chose whether or not to do it."

Dumais chooses to train 35-40 hours a week. Days begin at 5:30 a.m. with sprints and box jumps, afternoons consist of classes (he changed his major to business when he transferred) and nights usually end with two to three hours of sleep after work and flight lessons.

The perseverance he exhibits had led to fruition at Texas. While maintaining a 3.99 grade point average, Dumais' diving prosperity continues. He took second on synchro platform with Mark Naftanel at Indoor Nationals. Mission Viejo, California proved to be lucky for Dumais as he won the gold on 3-meter, edging out Troy by 10 points, and finished fifth on platform. The Dumais brothers also found silver on synchro platform at Outdoor Nationals.

In addition to helping Dumais find his passion, the Olympic Team Trials gave him a chance to make the team representing the U.S. in Sydney. He finished 13th in 3-meter competition and fifth on platform.

"I was pleased with Trials and I'm working toward 2004," Dumais said. "I want an Olympic gold medal. It's the ultimate diving goal, but if I don't' get it, I'll survive.

"The medal keeps me going on two to three hours of sleep every night, but I also have a simultaneous goal to fly."

Dumais will definitely reach his second goal before 2004. All that stands between Dumais and a pilot's license is a written test and check ride. He isn't one to let an obstacle stand between himself and a goal.