Senior Timothy Faerber was born clinically dead but was saved by the technology invented by a professor now teaching at the University of Michigan. Next fall he will attend the University of Michigan on a diving scholarship and hopes to meet the professor who created the technology that saved his life. Before that, in June, he will head to Seattle to participate in trials for the United States Dive Team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. And he still has his whole senior season of diving ahead of him.

Faerber’s diving career began at the age of 7, initially sparked by nothing more than curiosity.

“I started because I saw people jumping off diving boards,” Faerber said. “I tried it, liked it and started taking lessons.”

Faerber then joined a dive team that was led by a conditioning coach for the Russian Olympic team, Antonov Slobounov. His first coach did not allow him to jump straight into competition but instead taught the team basic fundamentals for an entire year.

“I wanted to start competing right away,” Faerber said. “When I started, everyone was ahead of me, and it was frustrating, but it paid off because I had my fundamentals.”

From there, Faerber’s career continued to grow. He competed in the Junior World Championships in Germany in 2008 and has participated in diving competitions abroad in Canada and England, with a possible upcoming trip to Australia this year.

“It’s been a great experience,” Faerber said. “It’s really shaped who I am. It’s helped me perform under pressure; I’ve met people from around the world.”

His acquaintances include, among others, the members of the Bulgarian diving team, who he was introduced to by his Bulgarian coach at the 2008 World Championships.

Faerber says he has met many of his goals, including qualifying for Olympic trials, but he has continued to set goals for himself.

“Diving for Michigan, my goal is to place in the top 8 at NCAA’s,” Faerber said.

According to CHS swim and dive coach Brendan Roddy, Faerber’s success comes from his determination.

“Tim’s success is a direct result from a combination of hard work and a passion for diving,” Roddy said. “I see this every practice by just watching Tim on deck when he is either diving or coaching the dive team here at CHS.”

Faerber has worked through many injuries, from a concussion to broken wrists and a broken leg. His success was against the odds from birth, yet he has gone on to place number two in the nation for his age group, missing first by a narrow half-point margin.

“Tim is a competitor,” Roddy said. “He will rise to the occasion and will not make excuses when he is competing, and is also willing to help others learn, grow, and finds success in his teammate’s achievements.”