INTRODUCTION:
This is a brand new series, featuring current undergraduates who compete for the University's athletic teams.

Sophie Lever '23 had a dynamic season as a first-year competitor. She broke the school record for 11 dives on the one-meter board,. At the UAA Championships, she finished in the top eight on both the one- and three-meter boards. She qualified for the NCAA Zone Diving Championships. Based on that performance, she qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships in North Carolina. The pandemic forced the NCAA to cancel its championships in mid-March. All of the national qualifiers were designated as All-Americans by the College Swim Coaches Association of America. Lever was later named a First Team Scholar All-American by the CSCAA for her combined efforts in the classroom and in the water. Here, she talks about her athletic career.
 

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When did you first become involved in diving?
The first time I ever started diving was in the summer of either third or fourth grade. I was on a summer team for just one summer, but stopped because I was also a competitive gymnast. After that summer, I didn't dive again until my freshman year of high school. 

What attracted you to it?
I was attracted to it because I could use a lot of the skills that I learned in gymnastics, which made transitioning to diving much easier. I had also wanted to join a sports team in high school so it worked out perfectly. 

Did you swim any strokes, or were you always a diver?
I was never a swimmer, only a diver.

You participated with the Glenbrook Aquatics program at home. Can you describe that experience?
I really enjoyed being a part of Glenbrook Aquatics at home and I definitely would not be the diver I am today if I hadn't been a part of it. During high school, we only practiced and competed on 1-meter board, but once I went to Glenbrook Aquatics, which was a club team, I began to do more 3-meter. That was super helpful when coming to college because I know I would've been really scared to start 3-meter if I hadn't done it before. I also was able to meet people through Glenbrook Aquatics that I otherwise never would have, because the club was about 40 minutes away. 
 
At the University, you broke the University record for 11 dives on the 1-meter board. At the Zone championships, you qualified for the NCAA Championships. How did you find out you qualified and how excited were you?
I was so excited to find out that I qualified for the NCAA Championships. I was at the Zone meet with two other teammates, and had just learned that Stephen (Savchik) had qualified for the Championships. I dove 1-meter the first day, and 3-meter the second day, and hadn't done as well as I hoped on 3-meter, so I really wasn't expecting to qualify. But then (diving coach) Greg (Brandes) came and told me that they had to do a tie-breaker for me and someone else, and I ended up being the last person from that Zone meet who made it, which was so exciting, especially since I hadn't really expected anything at all. 

You were a Studio Arts major originally. Then you changed to a double major.
I actually changed majors from studio art to political science and history, but am still going to be a studio art minor. So far I've only taken one studio art class here, which was printmaking, but other than what I made in that class, I haven't really done any projects yet. I really love ceramics, and have been going to a studio in Rochester a few times a week to continue wheel-throwing (I took classes in high school), so that has been really amazing to get to do again. It's also really nice because I can make pretty much whatever I want when I'm there, so I've tried to be more creative in the things that I make. 

Did you take part in any other sports activities?
I played basketball for a few years in elementary school, but until I started diving in high school, most of my time was spent at gymnastics.

When you are home, do you work with any youth programs – coaching, counselling, serving as an official or a timer?  
I have never done any coaching, counselling, or served as a timer. 

What led you to the University of Rochester?
My cousin graduated from Rochester a few years ago, so I heard about the school through her. I think what I loved most was the open curriculum. I wasn't completely sure what I wanted to study, so I liked the flexibility of being able to take classes that I found interesting, instead of having to take a lot of (general education) requirements. 

Why did you choose Studio Arts as your major originally?
I initially thought I wanted to major in studio arts because those were my favorite classes in high school, but later realized that I like it more as a hobby than a career. I still really enjoy it though, which is why I will continue with it as a minor. 

Are you involved in any campus groups tied to your studies?
I'm not involved in any campus groups.