As a sophomore, junior and senior, Jim wont the Oregon State Diving Championship in 1962, 1963, and 1964 and was named to the National Interscholastic All-American team in each of those years. He was the FIRST person to win three consecutive state diving titles in Oregon.

After three years in the Army, Jim enrolled at the University of Oregon and was an All-Conference finalist his senior year, placing 3rd overall. He graduated from the University with a degree in Recreation and Parks Management and accepted a job managing a private Tennis club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he also coached age group diving for three-year-olds. He developed one national age group champion, two state high school champions and two All-American high school divers. He also served as AAU chairman of age group diving in Oklahoma Association.

During this period, he resumed competitive diving in the National Master’s program and won four National Masters and Grand Masters Titles.