Poolside Chat with Kaylea Arnett

Kaylea Arnett is 11 years old and has been diving for three years. She finished first on platform in the 11 & under division at the Jr. Pan Am Trials in 2003 and fifth on 1-meter and third on both 3-meter and 10-meter at the Jr. Pan Am Championships last year. Kaylea wants to thank her coach, Alik Sarkisyan, of the Oklahoma City Dive Club for all of his help.

IN: How did you get into diving?
KA: I was doing gymnastics, but I had a week off and saw a flyer for a diving program in Oklahoma City. They asked me if they could call me when they had a beginning class and I said yes.

IN: What kind of music do you listen to between dives?
KA: Boston's "More Than a Feeling."

IN: Do you have a specific diver that you look up to?
KA: Nancilea Underwood spent a week at our house and trained for a little while with us. She tried out for the Olympics and did very well. But while she was here I was impressed by her great faith and kindness. She's a great girl.

IN: Have you ever been scared to try a new dive?
KA: Yeah, a couple of times. A front 3 ½ on 3-meter and now I'm working on a reverse armstand.

IN: What is the hardest thing about diving?
KA: Learning a new dive.

IN: What do you do in your spare time?
KA: I like to jump on the trampoline and play games. I also like scuba diving and meeting people from different places.

IN: Do you find time to hang out with your friends?
KA: Yeah, on the weekends we get together. We usually play tag.

IN: What is your favorite movie?
KA: Shrek 2

IN: If you could do any profession, what would you want to do?
KA: I would be a diver.

IN: What is your ultimate diving goal?
KA: To go to Beijing in 2008 and win the Olympics.