One of the most successful coaching stints at Laramie High School began as a desire to help one’s brother do well — just like Trent Weitzel excelled more than 13 years ago.
Trent Weitzel had no idea it was the start of pushing the Plainsmen and Lady Plainsmen into diving dominance.
Trent Weitzel recently announced his resignation from the position to devote more time to his children and his upstart food service business Double Dub’s. His son, Thor, is 6 years old; his daughter, Kaydn, is 5.
“It’s the hardest thing in the world to hear your kids say they want to spent more time with you and you are out spending more time with other people’s kids,” Trent Weitzel said.
Trent Weitzel was a standout diver at LHS, winning the Class 4A state title in 2001 and finishing runner-up in 2000 and 2002. He still has the school records for a six-dive meet (331.95) and 11-dive format (479.80).
“I can remember when I was recruiting kids to be on the diving team and someone said, ‘You have go after this freshman (Trent Weitzel),’” veteran Laramie coach Tom Hudson said. “He was a BMX (rider) and former gymnast.
“When I met him, he was a cocky little guy but had all the confidence in the world. He became the best diver I ever had at LHS, and he transitioned into being such a dedicated and phenomenal coach.
“He set a high bar of diving in Wyoming with his success because of his hard work and dedication.”
Trent Weitzel said he was originally recruited by then-Gillette Assistant Athletics Director Pat Kirk to coach there after he graduated from LHS.
“My parents (Eric and Carrie Weitzel) talked me out of it because they didn’t want me to coach against my brother during his senior year,” Trent Weitzel said.
Brock Weitzel ended up winning state in 2004, coming back from 40 points down to claim the title with his final three dives to beat Nick Stone of Casper Kelly Walsh by 0.65 points.
He was the first of many LHS state champion divers under the young coach, which remains as one of Trent Weitzel’s fondest memories as a coach.
Trent Weitzel stayed with LHS to coach three more Plainsmen state champions and four for the Lady Plainsmen. All together, they won 11 individual state titles. He had divers who finished runner-up eight times and in the top three 21 times for first-team All-State honors. He said his main motivation to stay with LHS was to provide stability in the program after having three coaches when he was a diver.
Trent Weitzel also was named State Assistant Coach of the Year seven times, including this past Lady Plainsmen season when he was also nominated by Green River coach Colleen Seiloff for the Sportsmanship Award. Trent Weitzel helped coach Green River junior Brianna Rath during regional and state meets when her diving coach was unavailable due to pregnancy. Rath finished ninth at state. Trent Weitzel also won the Sportsmanship Award as an athlete when he won state as a LHS junior in 2001.
“It means a lot knowing other coaches saw the work I put into it and my love and passion for the sport,” Weitzel said.
In addition to Brock Weitzel in 2004, the other LHS state champions were: Kevin Shumway (2006); Garrett Kirk (2012); Jake Rehmeier (2013); Morgan Hobbs (2004); Kari Campbell (2009-10); Emily Williams (2011); and Ryleigh Kobbe (2012-13, 2015).
“(Weitzel) has been by my side the whole time and has always been super supportive through the good and bad,” Kobbe said.
Kobbe’s prep career ended two weeks ago. She signed to continue her career with Ohio University this morning. She is the school’s girls record holder for six dives (302.45) and 11 dives (465.30) both set in 2014.
“I loved the program (at Ohio),” Kobbe said. “The team and coaches are very family-oriented, which is important being so far away from home.”
Kobbe is the latest of about 10 divers who continued their careers in the collegiate Division I ranks. This past Lady Plainsmen team was also one of Trent Weitzel’s deepest and strongest from senior to freshmen. They had seven divers who qualified for state, all of whom could’ve finished in the top 10. But only four were allowed to compete at state.
In addition to Kobbe, freshman Teryn White was fourth, senior Payton Giehm was sixth and freshman Yasmin Martin was eighth.
“Trent pushed me to do things I didn’t think I could if I had a different coach,” White said. “He always reminded me of my potential to do amazing things. I was proud I could learn new skills I didn’t know I could do before.”
Trent Weitzel will not stray too far from the sport as he plans to continue with 307 Diving — a year-round club he started in 2004 associated with USA Diving and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Diving. The club is open to anyone in Wyoming interested in the sport and offers a chance to compete at large meets outside of the school-sanctioned season.
“It’s to keep the kids on the diving board all year and start them out young,” Trent Weitzel said. “I’ve had anywhere from 5- to 50-year-olds in the club. It keeps them involved in diving and we go to meets all over the country. I just can’t do the high school and junior high seasons anymore.”
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