#NationalSigningDay2019: Buntman dives into a future as Pittsburgh Panther

“Pitt provides me with proximity to family, a full set of platform boards, and an exciting city life.”

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Jessica Buntman signs her National Letter of Intent to dive at The University of Pittsburgh.

Jessica Buntman signed her National Letter of Intent to dive at The University of Pittsburgh. Her performance at the CMC swimming and diving championship was one of the driving forces that resulted in the team’s first county championship title in winter 2019.

Jessica joined the LHS Swim and Dive teams sophomore year, placing first in counties and third at states. In 2018, she won counties and states. She also was named All-County Diver of the Year by the Frederick News Post.

Jessica is also a member of the Montgomery Dive Club (MDC).

Her club coach Alex Gauvin said, “Jessica never says no. She is always ready to take my directions, try something new, and try her best.”

Her determination to become the best has pushed her to be recruited The University of Pittsburgh. Jessica was getting recruited by many schools like The University of Virginia, University of Arizona, Penn State, West Point and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Jessica said, “I didn’t choose these schools because they did not have the combination of location, academic excellence, athletic opportunities, and city life. Pitt provides me with proximity to family, a full set of platform boards, and an exciting city life.”

Her experience of both club and high school has prepared her for college, helping her to learn how to communicate, adapt to other people’s schedules, and improve time management.

But ultimately the people who helped her the most are her parents. When she was three, her parents put her in a gymnastics class. From then on, she participated and competed in many sports. She has played soccer, basketball, horseback riding, karate, gymnastics and tennis. She continued participating in gymnastics throughout, and, by the age of eight and she started competing on the national team for acrobatic gymnastics. Then wanting to try new things and she transitioned to diving, where there was more opportunity to progress and continue through college.

Jessica said, “My parents were supportive and allowed me to try different sports until I found the perfect one for me.”

Her parents said, “We’ve always been proud of Jessica’s achievements but it’s her persistence in achieving her goals that really sets her apart.”

After college she wants to get a job in the medical field. Jessica season for the LHS swim and dive team will begin November 15th and her first meet will be December 9 at 6 p.m. vs Frederick High school at Middletown High school.

The Pittsburgh Panther are Division 1 diving program headed by Katie Hazelton.