It wasn’t that long ago that Marian swimmer Michael Strucko and Tamaqua diver Vinny Valentine didn’t want any part of their sports.

A few years later, Strucko and Valentine are not only still competing, they are doing it at the highest level.

On Thursday, the two underclassmen made their first trips to the PIAA State Meet at Bucknell University.

Although neither of them medaled, they both set the stage for what they hope will be future success on that level.

Strucko finished 18th out of 32 swimmers in the 500 freestyle, and Valentine was 19th out of 26 divers in his competition.

The Marian freshman recalled an earlier time when he was ready to hang up his trunks.

“I started swimming when I was around seven or eight years old, and I really didn’t get serious about it until I was around 12,” he said. “When I was 11, I really wanted to stop. It was tough for me, it was really tough.

“I didn’t think I would be swimming again. But I stayed with it, and the following year, I began to get stronger. I began to gain more confidence, and I knew that I could do it.”

Strucko wasn’t unnerved by the atmosphere at the state meet, as he took in all of the surroundings and the environment.

He set a new personal record with his time (5:02.31), slightly besting his old mark (5:02.34) that he had set a little more than a week earlier at the Districts 11 championships.

“I wasn’t going to worry about my time,” he said. “I wanted to be there for the experience. It was about being there for the first time and soaking it all in. If I go back next year, I know what to expect.

“It was hard to get right back at it after districts, but I did get four good practices in. I was happy with my time, but I know I could have done better. My goal was to get a sub-five. However, I set a new PR, and I was proud of that and what I was able to do this year.”

Brimming with confidence, Strucko has a better grasp of his situation going forward.

“I know I need to work on a lot of things,” he said. “This was a great experience, and I have some great teammates. We all hope to grow the Marian program. I just have to keep working.”

Valentine, who began competitive diving this year as a sophomore, reflected back to when diving wasn’t one of his favorite things.

“When I was younger, I was scared to dive,” he said. “I was never able to do it. It was a real struggle. I didn’t have any confidence, but I eventually worked to get over it.”

In his early youth, Valentine swam for the Tamaqua-based Blue Wave Swim Club, but he quit for a few years before he rejoined before his freshman year. Dominic, his older brother, was a diver and graduated two years ago.

Last summer, Valentine began working with the varsity program on the basics of diving. Current senior diver Mia Jones, along with diving coach Lisa Trubilla, both proved to be influential in his development.

“Mia was a big help to me,” Valentine said. “Coach Lisa also helped me along the way. Once I got over my nervousness and anxiety, I was able to calm myself down. After I was able to do it a few times, and hit the water, I was fine.”

Valentine ended his day with a score of 125.30, and also with plenty of optimism for his future in the sport. Like Strucko, he overcame the butterflies of the big stage.

“I thought I did fine,” he said. “I know what I have to improve. I was more nervous at districts than I was here because I knew I had to do really well to get here. I knew the competition would be tough here, and I just wanted to do my best.

“It was a good experience, and I am looking forward to improving my dives, and trying to earn the opportunity to go back next year.”