By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Her freshman season as a Bridgewater State University diver ended with a trip to New York City one year ago.

Cailey Simard (Haverhill, Mass.) capped a record-breaking season for the Bears' swimming & diving team by qualifying for the 2023 NCAA Division 3 Northeast/North Region Diving Championships in the 1-meter and 3-meter events.

When she arrived at New York University's Palladium Athletic Facility, Simard found herself in an atmosphere she'd never experienced before.

"I think last year, since I was a freshman, I was a bit nervous," said Simard. "I had never been to a big meet like that."

One of six freshmen divers at the regional competition, Simard finished 16th in a field of 24 in the 3-meter event and 17th out of 26 in the 1-meter event.

A year later, Simard is headed back to the Northeast/North Championships after another record-setting season with the Bears.

She will compete on Friday late afternoon (5:00 PM) in the 1-meter event and Saturday afternoon at three o'clock in the 3-meter event at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

This time, as a sophomore, Simard will arrive at the regional knowing what to expect.

"I feel more prepared this year," she said. "This year, I feel better. I'm super excited. I feel it's the biggest meet of the year for me. It's like I work all year for this meet."

Approximately six divers from the region will advance to the national event next month.

Simard enters the regionals this week after being named the Little East Conference Diver of the Year for a second straight season following wins in the 1-meter and 3-meter events at the Little East Championships.

"She's obviously more prepared for what's coming," said BSU coach Michael Caruso. "The anticipation, the worry, it's still high because she wants to do well, but I think she's going to be a little more business-like, a little more down to earth this time.

"That excitement of not knowing what to expect is gone. She's prepared, both physically and mentally."

Simard built on her freshman year success by continuing to break her own BSU records this season.

She set new school and Little East 11-dive records in the 1-meter dive with a score of 464.20 and in the 3-meter dive with a score of 463.85 to easily finish first again in the championship meet.

Simard also owns the six-dive records at BSU in the 1-meter event (316.70) and the 3-meter event (316.45).

The only female BSU diver to ever reach the regional competition, Simard said she attended a camp at Holy Cross last summer, which resulted in improvement.

First-year diving coach Nicole Radanovics, a 2018 BSU graduate who was a diver for the Bears, has also played a role in Simard continuing to get better.

"We have a strong connection," said Simard. "I think she's helped me in every way. She's very big on making sure we're OK outside of the diving, which I think helps a lot with diving."

Teammate Ava Anderson, who placed third in both diving events at the Little East Championships, has given BSU a one-two punch on the board.

"We push each other in the right way," said Simard. "She's done so well this year. I think we have a lot of fun together, which makes diving better."

Simard is just halfway through her BSU career and has already etched her name all over the school's record books.

The improvement should only continue in the 2024-25 season starting next fall.

"She's really come a long way again this year," said Caruso. "The fact that she could top herself the way she did is great. Now when she's competing against those records, she is competing against herself.

"It wasn't like she just went up a little bit. She went up a lot. She gets a little bit stronger and a little bit more determined each time. It's been fun to watch her progress.

"Just her attention to detail is special. She's a competitor. She's very adamant about doing the things she does well, very well."

There was hardly a sophomore slump for Simard, who has been named the Little East Diver of the Week nine times this season.

Her school records increased this season on each board for both six and 11-dive events. Simard eclipsed her six-dive marks on the one-meter (316.70 pts.) and three-meter (316.45 pts.) boards in the dual meet season-finale against Plymouth State on February 3. Two weeks later, she recorded 11-dive scores of 464.20 points (1-meter) and 463.85 points (3-meter) at the Little East Championships. 

"I feel more comfortable on the board," said Simard. "After being at Bridgewater for a year, I have a lot of experience. I think I expected to eventually break records. I didn't know it'd be this early.

"I think I've done well. I'm hoping next year will be better. I think in high school, I was definitely not as focused as I am now. I am taking it more serious now and pushing myself."

Simard will be pushing herself to improve on her regional performance when she competes in Maine on Friday and Saturday.

"I'm going to be more prepared for what the dynamic of the meet is," she said. "I kind of know who is there, how it runs."