Phil Devine is only a sophomore, but he has already built up an impressive student-athlete resume′. This winter, he competed in diving and track at UW-Oshkosh while still managing to do well in his studies.
The indoor track and field season for UW-Oshkosh began Jan. 9, while the diving season stretches all the way until March 20.
“It can be extremely difficult, especially being a computer science major,” Devine said. “I still maintain a 3.0, but that doesn't mean there isn't the occasional overnight stay in Halsey computer lab.”
Devine competes in a handful of events during the track and field season, finding most of his success in the hurdles.
“It's going really well right now,” Devine said. “My original goals weren't very lofty because I haven't hurdled since high school, but I recently ran a personal best of 7.97 (seconds) and have consistently ran around that range in my last few meets.”
John Zupanc, the UW-Oshkosh men's track and field coach, said he is happy to have an athlete like Devine on his team.
“He's a really good all-around athlete,” Zupanc said. “He's willing to listen to what you have to say, and then he applies it.”
The sophomore also excels in diving. Devine has made the qualifying scores for this year's NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships.
Devine has broken all but one of UW-Oshkosh's diving records, which he hopes to break at nationals.
“I have learned almost all of my goal dives for this year,” Devine said.
Participating in two different varsity sports at once can be difficult, especially while attending school full time. However, Devine seems to have figured out how to juggle it all.
“Time management is incredibly important,” Devine said. “And this forces me to use it better because—honestly—that isn't one of my strongest points.”
“He's always got something going, but he thrives on it,” Zupanc said. “He does a very good job with it.”
Amy Krysiak said she has noticed his hard work as well.
“Being involved in multiple sports can be a challenge,” Krysiak said. “Phil seems to have embraced this challenge and uses it to help push himself everyday.”
Krysiak also attributes his success in diving to his participation in numerous sports.
“I think his track workouts have complimented his diving quite nicely this year,” Krysiak said.
Zupanc also said Devine's involvement in other sports has helped him in track and field.
“He's got very good body awareness,” Zupanc said. “His experience as a diver has helped him in track and field.”
Devine offered a more detailed response of how competing in different sports make him a more well-rounded athlete.
“Diving helps to train my body awareness, which allows me to pick up new events quickly, or fix a part of a very technical event that might otherwise be very difficult to do,” Devine said. “Track has increased my strength dramatically, and this has made some very difficult dives come a lot easier this year. This extra edge is what has made me a bigger contender on the national scene for diving this year.”
In October of last year, Devine suffered a broken leg while practicing dives. The injury didn't keep him out of the action long, however.
“I recovered as soon as possible and made All-American in diving five months after breaking it, while still practicing for track and trying to get back into shape,” Devine said.
Devine will be competing in the one-meter and three-meter diving competitions. The two-sport athlete said he is taking a unique approach to preparing for the tournament.
“It's not always typical to add new dives at this point of the season, just a few weeks prior to the NCAAs,” Krysiak said. “But Phil is doing just that in preparation for the championships this year.”
Last year, Devine placed fifth in the one-meter competition and seventh in the three-meter competition. He said he believes he can improve on those results this year.
“Any improvement on last year's placing of fifth and seventh would be nice,” Devine said. “It will be a little bittersweet if I don't walk out of there with a national title.
“Phil has his sights set on the championships this year and is ready to give it his all in order to get where he wants to be,” Krysiak added. “It has been an exciting year and I trust that the championships will be no different.”
Devine is only a sophomore and has a promising athletic career remaining at UW-Oshkosh in both sports.
“It's very difficult, mentally and physically, for me to keep this up,” Devine said. “But I think I would regret it too much to graduate and realize I wasted an opportunity to keep competing.”
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