(The Calvin Sports Information Office recently caught up with Calvin senior Wil Goodpaster for a question and answer session. A native of Hamilton, Michigan, Goodpaster is a two-sport athlete at Calvin, competing as a diver with the Calvin men's swimming and diving team and as a pole vaulter with the Calvin men's track and field team. Goodpaster was named the MIAA's Most Valuable Diver during the 2024 and 2025 MIAA Swimming and Diving seasons and was a two-time All-MIAA swimming and diving selection. He has also become one of Calvin's lead pole vaulters in track and field over the last four years). He's also been a three-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and a consistent member of the Calvin Dean's List).

Q: As a senior at Hamilton High School, what led you to choose Calvin for your collegiate destination?
A: Originally, I came for the pre-medical program due to Calvin's excellent medical school placement and pre-med academic program. I later changed majors but the academic draw was a key. Calvin was one of the Christian schools I was looking at and that played a key role as well. Having the opportunity and flexibility to play multiple sports was also a nice bonus.

Q: You've competed in two sports throughout your four years at Calvin, what has that experience been like?
A: I love being active and I love competing. I played a sport in every sports season all four years of my high school career. I played baseball, basketball, tennis and dove on the swimming and diving team.  

Q: When did you start diving in high school?
A: My junior year. I realized after two years of basketball that I wasn't quite tall enough to keep on playing at that level. I decided to go out for diving. One of my best friends was on the team and I had done some freestyle trampolining growing up. It turned out to be really fun and something I enjoyed.

Q: So how did you get involved in track and field without having competed in the sport in high school?
A: Well, my family is a track family. My mother Jenny (Goodpaster) is a former Hillsdale track and athlete and coach. She kept running after college and ran in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 5,000 meters so we've grown up with the sport. When I got to Calvin, I looked at the conference pole vault results and thought that with some work, it would be doable to compete in that event. My girlfriend/now fiancé was a pole vaulter on the women's team so that helped too. Between those two things, I decided to give it a shot and I'm glad I did. I've always been a bit of an adrenaline junky and with diving and the pole vault, there's always plenty of excitement.

Q: Looking back on your swimming and diving experience, you were a part of three MIAA championship teams and had quite a bit of individual success, winning three individual league titles on the diving board. What stands out to you from your time with the Calvin men's swimming and diving program?

A: I think the first thing that stands out to me is that I've made some of my best friends with the Calvin men's swimming and diving team. The Calvin men's team is very close, and the friendships are very strong which is such a cool part of the program. It's been a huge time commitment between morning and afternoon practices but that has helped me build structure during my time as a student-athlete. With so little extra time, you have to become efficient with your time and make the most of it. That's been a really good skill that I will be able to take with me into the workforce as well as my daily life.

Q: What stands out with your Calvin track and field experience?
A: I've been blessed to have excellent coaching, particularly from my head coach Adam Haldorson. He always has your back and boosts you up as a student-athlete which has been awesome and something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your academic experience and what your plans after graduation?
A: This summer and school year I've been blessed to work with DV Trading – a firm out of Chicago. After college, I'll continue to trade US Equity and futures while also doing financial advisement with 2M Financial. I'll get to stay local with them and work out of Grand Rapids. I'll also be getting married to my fiance' (Bella Charron) in June, which is super exciting!

Q: You have the distinction of being a part of a Division III family within the MIAA as your (younger) brother Brant is a member of the Alma baseball team. How do you two support and follow each other as student-athletes?
A: (Laughing) Sometimes it's through doing a little trash-talking with each other but when it comes down to it, we're each other's biggest fans. I'm always rooting him to do well, and I know he feels the same way about me.

Q: Final question, what's it been like to be a part of a big sports family?
A: It's been huge and a lot of fun. My father (Scott Goodpaster) played baseball and basketball at Concordia (Mich.) and still holds records there and my mother had a great distance running career as well as being a head (college) coach. Sports have always been a big part of our family. We've supported each other no matter what. It's great to have a family like that.

Q: One additional question, you're the son of a former head coach, would you ever consider coaching down the road?
A: I kind of hope so. I don't know if I can stay away from the competition, especially diving. That would probably be the sport that I would have the best chance of coaching in the future.