A senior is making waves in both the world of diving and academics. He found himself settling for a college long before many of his peers even began to think about applying.
Brendan Hodgens ‘24 recently committed to Georgetown University for diving. This achievement is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication in achieving success in sports and education.
Coach Tom Henninger, who has coached Hodgens since he was thirteen, speaks highly of this remarkable journey. His aptitude, unwavering commitment, and openness to learning quickly set him apart from his peers.
“He has been working very hard since I first met him when he was around 13 years old,” Coach Henninger said. “When he started, he had a natural talent for riding the diving boards, but he’s also been going into the weight room and doing a lot of dry land, so he’s come a really long way.”
Coach Henninger highlights Hodgens’ dedication and the rewarding results in thrilling competitions. Hodgens’ collective achievements, such as winning Easterns during his sophomore year, perfectly illustrate his critical role in the team’s success.
“He’s grown into a leader on the team,” Coach Henninger said. “He leads by example.”
Hodgens speaks passionately about the high school season, noting how he has grown alongside the team from the start and cherishes the camaraderie with his teammates.
“Being a part of a team, especially with the swimmers here,” Hodgens said. “It’s an amazing group of kids.”
One of his most significant accomplishments was securing a close second-place finish at Easterns last season. He reflects on his incredible performance while displaying his benevolent character and sportsmanship.
“I went 11 for 11 on all my dives,” he said. “It was a really fun time.”
The amount of dedication required of GA’s diving club and school team is extremely demanding. “We have practices for two hours every single day here at the pool, starting in September and progressing towards the high school season,” Hodgens said.
In addition to regular practices and frequent meets, Hodgens’ commitment to Georgetown University is the culmination of a year-long recruiting process. He highlighted the significance of being proactive in contacting various coaches and colleges.
“It’s very front-loaded into your junior year,” Hodgens said. “A lot of your peers aren’t really thinking about applying anywhere until now.” His personal experience reflects the necessity of perseverance through challenges. “Reach out to a bunch of different schools.” He also said, “You learn many life skills, like talking to adults and putting yourself out there”.
When asked about his advice for aspiring athletes interested in the recruiting process, Hodgens offers a direct yet powerful message: “Be persistent.” He said.” Don’t give up.” These phrases resonate with many of his experiences, where his perseverance resulted in success.
Looking ahead to college, Hodgens anticipates a more structured routine, combining his diving commitments with a rigorous academic curriculum.
“It’s going to be a change,” he said. “But I think it’ll actually help me establish a disciplined routine.”
Hodgens chose Georgetown because of the school’s welcoming environment and the close-knit nature of the team.
“The team was awesome when I visited,” Hodgens said. “All of them are really close.”
Hodgens’ journey, from an inexperienced sixth grader diving for GA’s club team to a Georgetown-bound diving sensation, underscores the value of dedication and hard work. During Hodgens’ collegiate career at Georgetown University, he will continue to dive head-on into new challenges and make even larger waves in the world of competitive diving.