Jan. 4, 2005
This is the first in a series that spotlights the 10 freshmen on Notre Dame’s 2004-05 roster. This edition features diver Sam Stoner, who has established himself as the team’s top performer off the one-meter board. He has been Notre Dame’s top finisher in every meet but one, posting four first-place results in dual meets and one in the Notre Dame Invitational. His season-best score of 307.65 against Iowa is tops on the Irish and ranks him third among all BIG EAST Conference competitors. That performance also qualified him for the NCAA Zone C Diving Championships, slated for March 11-12 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Stoner ranks second on the Irish in three-meter action, with season bests of 291.37 (six dives) and 444.15 (11 dives).
Full Name – Samuel Adam Stoner
Hometown – Valparaiso, Indiana
Is your hometown known for anything noteworthy? – Orville Reddenbacher popcorn
High School team – Valparaiso High School
Family Members – Bob, Carol, Kate
Anticipated Major – Program of Liberal Studies (PLS)
What has been most difficult thing to adjust to in college? – Morning practice
What are your favorite things about Notre Dame? – Friends and football
Nicknames – Mr. Bojangles, Stoner
What were your high school’s nickname and colors – Vikings, green and white
What made you stick with diving over the years – My teammates and the fun I have doing it
Favorite diver – Alexandre Despatie
Favorite diving moment – Finishing third at the Indiana high school state championships
Rituals before a meet – Just to chill
Favorite “pump up” song – “Roses from My Friends” by Ben Harper
Describe yourself in the pool and out – Focused and happy
What has surprised you most about Ireland – Crunchy Nut Cereal … it’s ludicrously tasty
Favorite type of food – Mexican
Favorite TV show – “Seinfeld”
Favorite actor – Johnny Depp
Best movie you’ve seen recently – “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
Best book you’ve read recently – Fast Food Nation
Most used word or phrase – “No worries”