Hall claims gold medal

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 8, 2014 11:31 PM

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Devin Hall wishes his grandmother could have been present for his finest moment Friday afternoon.

But he's sure Grandma Lois is smiling proudly somewhere in Heaven.

The Charles B. Aycock senior stepped onto the board for the final dive of his career, steadied his nerves and stared toward the pool. A few minutes later, his perfectly-executed forward 21/2-somersault tuck left little splash and drew a roar of approval from the Pullen Aquatic Center crowd.

"I definitely nailed it," Hall said.

And he wrote another chapter in the Aycock and Wayne County record books. Hall compiled 374.05 points and claimed his third N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A 1-meter diving championship in four tries.

Hall became the first-ever Golden Falcon athlete -- and just the third in Wayne County -- to win three state titles in any sport. Eastern Wayne's Mason Chenier captured three straight 50- and 100-free titles from 2007-09, and Wayne Christian's Connor Jones recorded the three-peat on the independent schools 1-A men's cross country scene.

Eastern Wayne senior Willie Smith rallied on his final dive and finished state runner-up with 288.55 points. Chapel Hill senior James Willingham placed third with 280.60 points.

"It was a competitive meet all the way through," said Hall, who competed on an injured left knee that he hyper-extended two days before the season-ending Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference championships.

"I just tried to concentrate and take it dive by dive. I also made sure Willie concentrated on his dives."

Hall led from start to finish and didn't manage to let his fifth dive -- a forward 11/2 with a half twist -- get in his way. He didn't polish it off, but refused to dwell on the low-scoring dive.

His next dive drew scores of 6.5 from the three judges.

Meanwhile, Smith was locked in a duel with Willingham. They battled back and forth until Smith stepped onto the springboard for his final dive -- a forward 21/2.

Smith pulled it off and received a seven from each judge. The degree of difficulty resulted in 48 points and secured second place on the medal podium.

"Willie really brought it on that last dive ... was clutch," Hall said. "We finished 1-2 (at states) like we talked about all year. I am really more proud of Willie coming in second place than I am of my first (place)."

Wayne County has produced five of the last six 1-meter diving state champions. Eastern Wayne alum Collin Hobbs won consecutive 3-A titles in 2009 and 2010.

"What Willie has done this year ... he got focused, became determined, identified what he needed to do to get better every day and it showed every day not only in practice, but in meets," EW head coach Sidney Myers said. "He certainly proved it yesterday. He did a great, great job and that's a credit to him."

Hall's second-place performance in last year's state championships proved to be a learning curve. The defeat undoubtedly changed his mental outlook.

But took took a hit when CBA head coach Zeke Jackson relocated to the Midwest and diving coach Richard Custer didn't return. The losses challenged Hall's emotions.

Darren Goroski from the Goldsboro Family Y took Hall under his wing and nutured his mental growth.

"Last year, I didn't have as much confidence in my actual performance ... more confident in myself (as a person) instead of showing it through my dives," Hall said. "This year, Darren and Mr. Steve Thomas, they've taught me a lot about how to not hold on to the negatives as much in the meets and take the positives ... carry them on to the next dive.

"I feel like I've come a long way."

Hall's demeanor immediately changed and his frustration rarely rose to the surface if he missed a dive. He listened to Goroski and constantly worked on the dive until he felt confident he could perform it without any major flaws.

The results led to his third ECC championship in four years and four consecutive NCHSAA eastern 3-A regional titles.

But the one medal he coveted the most became reality during a week of mental obstacles. Inclement weather postponed the regional until Monday. His grandmother's passing and a minor car incident on the interstate Friday tested his nerves.

Hall remained calm and followed his new mentor's advice. It all came together on that memorable, final dive which capped a stellar prep career.

"I wanted to go out with a bang on that final dive," Hall said. "It hasn't really sunk in that it was my last high school meet. It just feels great."