Strive to Dive

  DAVE HILL/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Sophomore
Heidi Prosser stays focused as one of the top
athletes in UCLA’s diving program.

By Errol Erin
Daily Bruin Contributor

Her friends know her as the sparkplug from Washington who came
to UCLA for the sunshine and the girls on the team.

But don’t be fooled. Heidi Prosser, the short,
spiky-haired girl with the loud and contagious laugh, has a drive
to succeed.

“Her physical description (mirrors) her personality, but
she is a fierce competitor who can always step up at meets,”
said fellow diver Anne Baghramian.

Having competed in tough meets since she was a kid, Prosser is
one of the most driven members on the team.

A gymnast for 12 years before easing into diving, Prosser was
accustomed to the individual and demanding nature of the sport. The
rigorous physical training and mental perseverance of gymnastics
helped her to adjust to diving, and she has been improving ever
since.

“She likes to win and is always looking to build and
constantly looking to go forward,” said diving coach Tom
Stebbins.

When Prosser started competing at the collegiate level, she had
only been diving for three years. However, through her hard work
ethic, Prosser rose to the challenge.

In overcoming the hurdle of lack of experience, she competed in
last year’s NCAA Zone E qualifying meet as a freshman.
Although she didn’t make it to the championship round, the
experience was invaluable.

Despite her recent success, a back injury this past fall quarter
set Prosser back. Yet her competitiveness and optimism has helped
her cope with the frustration of the injury.

“We talked about her injury,” said diver and close
friend Regan Gosnell, “and even though she was obviously
upset, she always tried to look at the positives.”

Sustaining an injury is difficult for any athlete, but the
timing was especially bad for Prosser, who is still developing as a
diver.

“Being injured was big and it made me realize how much I
love the sport and miss the team,” she said.

This love for the sport and her determination helped Prosser
recover from her back injury as she led the team at the Bruin
Invitational, placing second (260.30) among 21 divers from eight
different schools.

Although Prosser said she is not at her full potential, she
continued with amazing performances in the meet against Cal, where
she swept the one-meter and three-meter with scores of 252.60 and
284.48, respectively.

Once she steps onto the pool deck, Prosser concentrates on
winning. While some teams try to comfort themselves and psyche
their opponents out with loud music and obnoxious yelling, Prosser
maintains focus.

“When it comes to diving, she doesn’t play
games,” Stebbins said.

Although diving is a major focus of her life, going home to a
different scene alleviates the stress she experiences from the
sport.

“It’s better for me to devote myself to many aspects
instead of just one,” Prosser said.

This balance begins in her apartment. From early-morning
practices to away meets, Prosser is always with the diving team.
Living with people outside of her sport provides a release from
diving. Although Prosser loves the girls on the team, she also
wants to be involved in different circles.

“Being around one scene is sometimes too
suffocating,” said Prosser’s roommate, women’s
tennis player Zana Zlebnick.

Diving, academics and her social life provide a complete
atmosphere for Prosser and allow her to be with different groups of
friends.

But in the pool the competition is what really drives her. She
may laugh out loud on campus or in her apartment, but not when
it’s time to compete.