Walk to the edge, take a deep breath and jump.
Although this scenario seems uncommon for many people, Dan Mazzaferro faces it almost every day.
A member of Auburn's swimming and diving team, Mazzaferro accepted his second invitation to join ESPN The Magazine's 2009 Academic All-District IV at Large First Team on Thursday.
"The recipients of this award must excel in both academics and athletics," Mazzaferro said.
Mazzaferro, a junior majoring in chemistry with a concentration in pre-medicine, said he maintains a 3.94 GPA while dedicating 20 hours a week to practice and conditioning.
"Time management is key in student athletics," Mazzaferro said. "You can't get consumed in more than one thing at a time because you won't perform to the best of your ability."
Katie Newton, a senior majoring in nutrition and dietetics, has known Mazzaferro for three years and said he deserves the honor.
"He's an excellent diver," said Newton, president of Tiger Splashers swimming and diving hostesses. "He works really hard in school, too."
Although he must divide time between diving and studying, Mazzaferro breaks records in springboard and platform events.
"I set my first record on the 10-meter platform in the 2008 SEC championship," said Mazzaferro, "and I broke that record in the SEC championship this year."
His success did not happen overnight, however.
"I've been diving for 12 years," he said.
Participating in gymnastics for 10 of those years, Mazzaferro eventually began to devote more time to diving.
"I decided to focus my attention on diving because I thought I had a better chance of making the Olympic team," he said.
His high school diving team won the state championship because of the common bond between the swimmers and divers, he said.
Moving to Auburn from Cheshire, Conn., Mazzaferro said he recognized a similar bond among Auburn's team members.
"The 100 percent deciding factor in my decision to come to Auburn was the unity of the swimmers and divers," Mazzaferro said.
Support from family also contributes to his success both in school and the pool.
"My parents attended 90 percent of my meets last year," Mazzaferro said. "I don't think I'd perform as well if it weren't for their encouragement and motivation."
He attributes many of his accomplishments to his mother.
"She's always pushing me," he said. "To this day, she will always be there for me during the good times and bad times, and she will make me a better person."
Despite ever-changing team dynamics, Mazzaferro has a positive outlook for the upcoming season.
"Our team lost a couple of good guys, but we gained such a talented freshman team that we will be as strong as we were last year," he said.
Mazzaferro also looks to improve individually during the upcoming season.
"I would love to extend my SEC record and final in all three events - the 1-meter, 3-meter and 10-meter events - in the NCAA finals," he said.
His long-term goals outside of the pool include earning an MBA at Auburn and attending medical school to become an orthopedic or plastic surgeon.
Nicole Carlson, a senior in political science and former vice president of the Tiger Splashers, also recognizes Mazzaferros talent.
"As Tiger Splashers, we are honored to work with and get to know someone who has gotten this presitgious award," Carlson said.
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