At what age did you start diving and how did you get into the sport?
I started at the age of 9. After i finished swimming lessons, IÂ wanted to keep doing something in the water so I tried out all the aquatic sports and quickly fell in love with diving, even though the swim coaches wanted to recruit me as well.
What routines do you practice before a big race to help you focus and stay ready?
I paint mandalas in between dives to stay calm. Right before a dive IÂ activate, get some tips from my coach and do a breathing exercise to clear my mind and focus.
What is something that someone wouldn't know about you?
As a kid, I used to eat sand and snails from our garden. I was also writing before I could read.
What sport would you play if you did not dive and why?
When I stop diving, I'll likely keep doing Olympic weightlifting because IÂ love the feeling of getting strong and I enjoy surpassing what IÂ thought IÂ was capable of.
What advice would you give to young athletes who are just starting out in swimming?
There is strength and beauty in being yourself. The people you look up to might look or act very different than you do, but you have unique strengths that will flourish when you enjoy your sport and do it as your authentic self.
Who is a role model in your life that pushed you to be better in and out of the pool?
Else Praasterink (Texas A&M) is one of my best friends and has taught me lots about life's friendship, diving, hope and perseverance.
Why did you choose the University of Kansas?
I came to KU because of Coach Feng's expertise in diving and because it was a great academic institution for me to continue my degree in philosophy.
Top Collegiate Scores
Score
Event
Date
Meet
301.58
1 Meter 6 Dives
2/9/2024
Iowa State
209.80
Platform 5 Dives
11/15/2023
Mizzou Invite
330.15
3 Meter 6 Dives
12/2/2023
Rockhurst
298.60
1 Meter 11 Dives
2/22/2023
Big 12 Championship
252.20
Platform 11 Dives
2/22/2023
Big 12 Championship
316.65
3 Meter 11 Dives
2/22/2023
Big 12 Championship
2024-25 (Junior)
CSC Academic All-District
Academic All-Big 12 Team
Placed second in the 3-meter dive (288.98 points) and fifth in the 1-meter (244.80 points) at the Illinois Dual.
Came in runner-up in the 3-meter dive (275.70 points) against South Dakota.
Finished ninth in the 1-meter dive (280.15 points) at the Big 12 Championships Â
Reaped silver in the 1-meter (286.95 points) and 3-meter dive (291.68 points) against Iowa State
2023-24 (Sophomore)
CSCAA Scholar All-American.
College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District.
Named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
Scored new personal bests in the one-meter (301.58), three-meter (330.15) and platform (209.80) diving events.
Member of the second-place team diving medal at the Big 12 Championship on Feb. 28.
Won the one-meter diving consolation at the Big 12 Championship, finishing ninth overall with 288.60 points.
Competed in the one-meter and three-meter events at 2024 NCAA Zone Diving.
Won the three-meter event against Illinois on Oct. 14 with a score of 309.75.
Finished fifth (301.45) in the three-meter championship at the Mizzou Invite on Nov. 15.
Placed sixth (258.85) in the one-meter diving final at the Mizzou Invite on Nov. 16.
2022-23 (Freshman)
Placed first in the one-meter dive (281.55) and the three-meter dive (309.95) versus Lindenwood/South Dakota.
Placed first in the three-meter dive (316.73) versus Iowa State.
Placed fourth in the platform dive (252.20) at the Big 12 Championship.
High School
Multiple-time Dutch Champion
Placed 15th at the LEN Junior European Championships (2021)
Personal
Child of Hans van Leeuwen and Ingrid Kurz-Pohlmann