Full Name: Nancilea Marie Underwood Date of Birth: 9/14/83 Birthplace: Conroe, Texas Hometown: Spring, Texas College: University of Iowa National Titles: 3m Synchro w/ Cassidy Krug

How long have you been diving?
17 years

What diving teams have you been a member of?
Conroe Tigers Diving Club, Woodlands Diving Team, University of Iowa

List Diving Achievements:
• 2001 Jr. Pan Am Champion
• 4th Place - 2004 Olympic Trials
• 2nd Place - 2005 NCAA Championships 3M Springboard
• 3rd Place - 2005 NCAA Championships 1M Springboard
• 2005 China Open - Bronze Medalist - 3M Springboard
• 2005 China Open - Bronze Medalist - 3M Synchro with Cassidy Krug
• 2005 Speedo/FINA Diving Grand Prix - Bronze Medalist - 3M Synchro with Cassidy Krug
• Finalist (9th) at 2005 World Championships
• 2005 National Championships - Silver Medalist - 3M Springboard
• 2005 National Champion - 3M Synchro with Cassidy Krug

What are your hobbies outside of diving?
Reading and spending time with friends. I’m also involved at my church and in Athletes in Action.

What do you do between dives at competition?
I like to listen to music or read my bible.

What’s in your CD player right now?
David Crowder Band’s newest CD—A Collision

What is your favorite dive to do?
Probably 107c or 305b

What has been your biggest obstacle?
Hitting my head on the board twice in one year when I was 14 —once on 405c and then on 305c about 8 months later.

What is your favorite food?
Hmm…that’s a tough one. Either my grandmother’s cornbread dressing or brownie batter blizzards from Dairy Queen

Who has inspired you the most?
Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and has by far had the biggest impact on my life. He is the motivation behind all I do, even diving.

What are your favorite movies?
Chariots of Fire, Life is Beautiful, Remember the Titans, The Little Giants

If you could do any other sport, what would it be and why?
Probably a team sport like soccer or volleyball.

What city is your favorite to visit?
I love Indianapolis and Chicago.

What is your most embarrassing “diving moment?”
This past year at the China Open in Zhuhai, I was in my first International meet for a long time, and it was only the second time I had ever dove synchro in a competition. Cassidy Krug and I were both really nervous. We had talked about when we were going to walk down the board to get ready for our first dive, but forgot to consider the whistle that the referee blows before each dive. I waited, but she started walking. When she saw I wasn’t going yet, she stopped. At the same time, I noticed she was walking so I started moving. We did a little start/stop/start dance for a minute or two while the packed Chinese stadium burst out laughing. I was so flustered that I forgot what I was doing and started to turn around to do my standing front dive!! I had to turn back around while listening to all of the laughter around me, and trying not to laugh myself. What a way to start the meet!

What is the best advice you have received from a diving coach?
One dive at a time—this is so important when you are competing. Whether you miss a dive or nail it, you have to let it go and move on. Along with this, you need to focus on the present moment without letting yourself worry about what’s ahead.
What advice can you offer young divers as they progress through this sport?
When you get to a competition, try your hardest not to worry about what anyone else is doing or what everyone might be thinking about you. Do your best to just focus on yourself and the corrections your coach gives you, and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by worrying about other people. You are the only one that you can control!