A stand-out winner of 4Frenzy winter edition is Soodong Kim from Rochester Adams High School who got a total of 839 votes, winning him 1st place in the ‘Diver’ category, and meaning he easily raked in the largest number of votes in the Boys Swim Team category!
The person who nominated him even wrote, “Just a freshman, Soodong has already proven that he's one of the top divers in the state.” Impressive!
Recommended Videos
Favorites and Fun Facts!
- Song: “Just Give Me a Reason”, by Pink. This song makes him feel nostalgic because he remembers jamming out to the song with his best friend, Alex, at USA nationals for diving.
- TV Show: The Big Bang Theory and Friends.
- Movie: Spiderman: Homecoming, and he can’t wait for Infinity War!
- Food: Carrots, just ask his friends at school! He's always got carrots in his bag to snack on in class.
- Animal: A penguin! Not only are they adorable, but they're diving and swimming role models!
- Fun fact: He's been diving for seven years, since the age of seven!
- Role Model: His older sister! He was a gymnast with her, but after she injured her elbow, she began diving because she could apply the similar techniques and skills of gymnastics. Her interest in the sport influenced Soodong, and within a year he decided that diving is what he enjoyed, and chose to focus on it alone.
- Teacher: Mr. Colville! "He cares about the students both inside and outside of school. He always talked to me about diving, motivated me to do well -- both in school and dive -- and even came to one of my dive meets. This action meant so much to me."
- This season's accomplishments: 3rd at Oakland County, 1st at Leagues, and 2nd at States (A first at Adams since 2002). This year, he swam in two events in a dual meet; the 50 free, and the 200 free relay. Next year, he thinks it will be fun to do both swim and dive.
During the season, Soodong has two-hour practices Monday through Saturday. During the off-season he dives with his club, Legacy Diving, at Oakland University. Usually, practices are four hours long, and they train for USA diving.
Despite how it may appear to some, Soodong says that diving is an extremely difficult sport, testing both physical and mental strength. Some mental challenges are the fear of hitting the board, 'smacking' (belly-flopping on the water), severely injuring oneself, and performing at tall heights.
Soodong's favorite part of diving is hearing the reactions that people have when watching divers, "It's an incredible feeling to hear cheering, even from those on opposite teams."
Soodong believes he has the best teams, both high school and club. "My high school team was incredible to me this year. A true dream-team. As a freshman, joining a swim and dive team as the only diver was extremely daunting. However, the team was extremely open and caring, allowing me to feel welcome. My team was always there to support me, even at meets where they didn't have to swim any events. They truly made this year memorable."
Soodong emphasized his appreciation for the support of his coaches, "Without them, we wouldn't have done so well in our season. Swim coaches Tim and Steve's support and congratulations ultimately motivated me and increased my zeal for the sport of diving. I would like to thank my coach, Natalie, who was my first ever dive coach. She is one of the reasons I stuck to diving, and it was amazing to dive with her again. With her support and encouragement, I was able to overcome numerous fears, learn new dives, sharpen up my list, and have an amazing, successful first high school season."
He doesn't want to be cliche, but Soodong says that his best advice to high school athletes is to never give up. He elaborates, "Most of us are here after years of training, and giving up at this point is letting all the sweat, pain, and training go to waste. By persevering, it will be evident that everything was worth it. I realized this at the end of my season, and it gave so much more motivation for the years to come."
Keep on fighting Soodong, you’re definitely making all the people rooting for you proud! Congratulations on your 4Frenzy wins!
For more 4Frenzy Spotlight articles, click here!
NOMINATE your spring high school athletes in 4Frenzy below!
/**/