One February 11, 2025, HSE diver Zoe Rehm competes in the IHSAA regional championships at the Hamilton Southeastern High School natatorium, she ended up placing 12 overall. Zoe Rehm was the only diver who competed in the regional championship from the HSE team. Despite her season coming to a close after this meeting she is still proud of the accomplishments she has made.
Throughout each of the 11 dives that the divers performed, the divers needed complete concentration to make each one of their intricate dives count. The ambiance of the still HSE natatorium and the quiet audience helped the divers perform at their best, with nobody moving or talking throughout the time the diver steps onto the board, until the diver delicately splashes into the water. With the whole dive team by her side cheering her on, including the swim coaches, to keep Zoe in the zone.
“Swim coaches Dan and Rich were also a big support.” said Rehm, “as they continued to tell me good job, to keep it up, and that they were proud of me.”
There are 11 rounds of competition with 20 different divers. In-between the dives Zoes coach helps to get her in a good mindset for the next dive.
“My coach usually just tells me good job and then any corrections.” said Rehm, “She also gets me ready for my next dive by giving any reminders on how to perfect it.”
The amount of pressure divers can feel when they step onto the board can be stressful, each diver including Zoe Rehm, has their own way of dealing with these pressures before and during their dives.
“Before I get on the board, I visualize the dive both as if I’m watching it and then as if I’m doing it.” said Rehm, “While I’m actually diving, I usually think of corrections or sometimes I just go blank. It really depends on the dive, sometimes I don’t feel or see anything but most dives I think through the steps it almost feels like I’m in slow motion.”
After Rehms performance during Tuesday’s regional meet, she had this to say,
“I was feeling nervous just because I wanted to compete well.” said Rehm, “After some dives I was extremely happy with my performance while others I was disappointed in silly mistakes, I made due to nerves.”
