A 1-on-1 conversation with ... UNCW freshman Devin Hall

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on April 10, 2015 1:48 PM

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The News-Argus conducted a 10-queston Q&A with UNC Wilmington freshman Devin Hall, who recently concluded his first season as a collegiate diver. He talks about his growth as a person and student-athlete while competing for one of the nation's most-respected programs.

Q: Congratulations on winning Colonial Athletic Association rookie diver-of-the-year. Was that a surprise to you?

A: It came as a pretty big surprise to me. We hoped it would happen, but really weren't sure. When we got the news that it was official, it was great news to hear.

Q: Stepping into the collegiate ranks from high school diving, what's been the biggest adjustment for you?

A: The biggest adjustment for me diving-wise, it's almost like another category of diving, kind of. In high school, a lot of it was about technique and how well you could do things. It's also that way in college. In college, it's only six dives and it's a lot of power diving ... really big dives you need to do well (to get) really high scores. That took a little while to adjust to (and) took me a little while to catch up to everybody.

Q: What's a typical day for you considering you have to set aside time not only for classwork, but attend practice and prepare for meets?

A: A typical day during the heaviest part of the season -- wake up at 6 a.m.,  go lift weights, eat breakfast, have class from 8 a.m. to noon, then eat lunch, have an hour of down time, then practice for two hours, eat dinner and by that time (you) go to study hall and work on my school work. You do it all over the next day. It's definitely a lot of work, but it all paid off. (Editor's note: Hall said there were periods where the Aquahawks would have two-a-day sessions.)

Q: Who has been your biggest influence on the team and why?

A: I have to give all the praise in the world to my coach (Beau Bunn). He's been amazing, not just to me, but everyone. He just shows so much passion for the sport. He dove in college, is an alumni (of UNCW) and won diver-of-the-year as a freshman. I couldn't really dream of being at the level I'm at right now -- the level of progression started happening really quick over Christmas training.

Q: What has been the biggest improvement you've noticed about yourself individually since you have become part of the UNCW program?

A: I've seen myself become a little bit more patient, not quite as hot-headed as I used to be. I've put more effort into it, not saying that I didn't in high school. We have such a strict regimen and time commitment toward the sport, and being able to apply myself 100 percent all day -- every day -- has been the biggest change I've seen at how I'm dedicated to the sport.

Q: One of your strengths is the ability to completely block out everything once you step onto the springboard to begin a dive. Was there any difference when you competed in the season-ending CAA championships?

A: The second day of finals, I would have to describe it as the most intense sporting event that I have ever been able to be a part of (in my career). The energy level was so high. Everyone was diving amazingly. I was on a high because I was having the meet of my life. I, honestly, would trade in my experiences at state to go back and relive it one more time ... really soak it in for what it was.

Q: Now that the season has concluded, what goals have you set for your sophomore year and what must you do to achieve them?

A: This year I set really high goals. One of the girls on the team that he was speaking with and ask her what her goals would be, I told her to "shoot for the moon and that she can land for the stars," so that's kind of how my mentality has been for this year. So, next year I've set a pretty ridiculous goal being as high as the level of competition is, but my goal is to go and (get on the) podium at the very least. I've got to continue working as hard as I can every day, and not letting the fact that we're not in the season get to me. I have to take it day-by-day, apply myself the best I can and (hope) that it will all pay off next year. I'll be here every day in the summer working.

Q: An accomplished diver in high school, what kind of advice would you give any current divers who have aspirations of earning a college scholarship in the sport?

A: The only advice I could really give to them is not give up and to dedicate themselves, apply themselves as much as they can. You can't be an athlete without being a student first. Definitely concentrate on school first because that's what is most important. Behind that, apply yourself to be the best you can.

Q: What have you enjoyed about college life so far?

A: The freedom of being independent, living on my own. The greatest thing I've seen about this team is the family environment. It was almost immediate coming in the first two weeks. There is such a good vibe on the whole team. It was almost like we had been part of this before, and we weren't just freshmen coming in. We were already accepted and part of their family.

Q: If you could sit down to dinner with three people, living or deceased, who would they be and why?

A: Oh man, this is way too broad. Of course my mother, Jackie. I always love to have dinner with my mother. I would like to sit down with my great-great grandmother Lois one more time just to sit and talk with her. I'd love to sit down with Troy Dumais, who is the second-most successful US Olympic diver behind Greg Louganis. He is currently attempting to go to his fifth Olympics, which is how many Louganis ended up going to. I had the opportunity to watch him as a sophomore (at Aycock) when I went to a summer diving camp. I was completely infatuated with the level of diving. I'd like to talk to him and see how he got started, what kind of advice he would have for me in college (and) to reach that level. He's 38 years old and still dominating.