This is a sports story about the sport of diving. But it is really a story about character and friendship that happens to involve the sport of diving: it could have been about any sport or any endeavor requiring teamwork. It is about two teammates and their school's entry in the final swim competition that will decide which team wins the championship for the season. Although it is a sports story and involves a competition, the story is about how cooperation wins the day in an unexpected and surprising way that is worthy of a story by O. Henry.
