URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s been a strong start to the season for Urbana’s Max Kooper.

The Tigers diver took first at a pair of meets in December, breaking a school record in the six-dives event.

He said getting better at diving is all about making steady progress outside of meets.

“During practice, just making sure that I practice the whole time, getting in my head at all, not getting mad at myself,” Kooper said.

“It’s all about consistency.”

“The whole sport is just doing the same thing over and over again and getting better just a little bit at a time.”

“He’s one of the best divers to come out of Urbana and that, I think, has shown,” Urbana Diving Coach Blake Withers said.

Kooper is now eligible for a $1,000 dollar scholarship we’ll give away to one boy and one girl at the end of the school.

If you know a deserving high school athlete, send in an Athlete of the Week submission here.