After keeping Division I diving title in the family and breaking record, Buena junior earns top honors.

VENTURA — Troy Dumais is considered the best high school diver in the nation.

But before this season, the Buena High junior had a tough time proving he was the best diver in his own family.

As a freshman and sophomore, Dumais finished second--behind older brother Justin--in the Southern Section finals even though Troy routinely beats Justin in national competition.

This year, he finally won the elusive title, and did so in dominating fashion.

With Justin competing in a meet in Mexico, Troy won the Division I title by 145 points last month in Irvine, breaking his brother’s Southern Section record. Troy scored 701.65 points at the finals, surpassing Justin’s previous mark of 692.15.

For his outstanding season, Dumais has been named the regional performer of the year in swimming and diving by The Times.

“If Justin was there, I don’t know for sure if I would have beaten him but I was ready to beat anyone,” Dumais said. “The [high-school] judges like to see the technical dives. They score higher.

“I’m more of a power diver and I wonder sometimes if that works against me.”

Although he has turned down several opportunities to compete internationally this month--”I’ve missed too much school,” Dumais said--he will continue to make the daily commute from Ventura to USC, where he trains with Trojan Diving Club coach Jeff Schaffer. He plans to stay active this summer in national and international competition.

In early August, Dumais will attempt to tie the record for U.S. junior titles when he shoots for his 15th in a meet in Texas. The following week, he will compete in the one-meter and three-meter springboard and platform events at the U.S. Nationals. There, he will attempt to qualify for the World Championships in Perth, Australia, and the World Cup in Mexico City.

“I’ve got to go back to work on my platform,” Dumais said. “By August I’ll be equally ready in all three.”

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FIRST TEAM

Noah Cirincione

Agoura, Sr.

50 freestyle, 100 freestyle: Most improved swimmer in the area, senior headed to Brown was second in both sprint races in Division I final and timed 20.91 in the 50 at the Royal Invitational.

Evan Robb

Crescenta Valley, Sr.

200 individual medley: Nearly finished with All-American automatic time in Southern Section Division II individual medley final.

Matt Carter

Buena, Sr.

200 freestyle, 500 freestyle: Arizona State-bound distance specialist was second in both events at Southern Section Division I finals.

Kenny Carpenter

Crescenta Valley, So.

100 butterfly, 100 backstroke: One of the best sophomores in the area, Carpenter set Pacific League finals record in butterfly and backstroke and was second in both events at Division II finals.

Mitchell Hefter

Cleveland, Sr.

50 freestyle: Hefter has dominated the 50 and 100 freestyle in the City Section, easily winning both events the past two seasons. Will swim at California next year.

Steve Kim

Crescenta Valley, Sr.

100 breaststroke: Longtime Falcon standout was second in the Division II finals and less than a second away from division record. Combined with Robb, Carpenter and Michael Pak to win 200 medley relay.

Joel Everman

Notre Dame, Jr.

200 freestyle, 500 freestyle: Won both distance events in Division II finals, earning an All-American automatic time, 4:31.29, in the 500.