The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

Athlete of the Week: Jean Liu

Jean+Liu+qualified+for+state+in+the+3+meter+and+will+compete+in+the+1+meter+at+the+South+Coast+Conference+championships+at+East+Los+Angeles+College+beginning+on+April+20.+Photo+credit%3A+Selvin+Rodas
Jean Liu qualified for state in the 3 meter and will compete in the 1 meter at the South Coast Conference championships at East Los Angeles College beginning on April 20. Photo credit: Selvin Rodas

Jean Liu, 23, nutrition major, has been diving for a month and a half. Liu earned the No.1 spot in the conference while taking a seventh place finish in Southern California for the women’s 3 meter competition at the diving championships on Saturday, April 15.

Q: How do you feel about being No. 1 in conference?

A: Really surprised. I didn’t expected it at all, honestly. I think it’s been a very humbling experience because I got to see other divers compete. There were so many schools from Southern California and I was able to see divers that have been diving for like six or seven years. There was gymnasts who become divers and since I also was a gymnast, it was cool to see that. One of the cool parts was just being able to be part of this experience, where everyone supports each other.

Q: How did you prepare yourself for the diving championship event?

A: I think there is a lot of mental preparation that goes on. When I go home, I literally just YouTube “Best Olympics Dives” or like “Best Springboard Dives.” I just watch people dive because I think one of the most important part of this sport is to visualize and be able to focus on what I need to do.

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El Camino diver Jean Liu dives into the pool during practice at the El Camino pool on Monday, April 17. Photo credit: Selvin Rodas

Q: Why did you choose this sport?

A: I tried a few sports before (and) the longest I have participated in a sport was gymnastics, (which) it is a very good transition into diving because diving it’s not really about being in the water. It’s about what you do before you go into the water.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work or diving?

A: I like to go to the gym sometimes, when I get the chance to. I like to lift weights for fun. I used to be competitive on that and in my free time I like to watch anime like Pokemon.

Q: What are you plans after college?

A: I came to EC because I just wanted to take a few classes and I am planning on taking a master’s program because I graduated from UC Davis already. I’m just taking a few classes for fun.

Q: Do you plan on diving after college?

A: I think if I could keep diving in my masters program I would but I feel like it would be very hard to because of the time commitment probably and being in a grad program it would probably be difficult. But I do wished I would have discovered earlier.

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