Poolside Chat with Jessica Livingston

Jessica Livingston's junior career is coming to a close, and the 18-year-old is showing that she is ready for the jump to senior competitions. She placed fourth at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials on women's 10-meter and fifth on both 1-meter and 10-meter at the 2003 Junior Pan Am Championships. Livingston, who recently moved to The Woodlands and is coached by Adam Soldati, will make another move shortly - she will dive for the University of Minnesota in the fall.

IN: Why did you start diving?
JL: I was a gymnast before - when I was nine my mom signed me up to dive at a recreation pool and it just continued from there.

IN: What divers do you look up to?
JL: All of the National Training Center Divers. Since I've moved there, I've been able to watch them and they have great attitudes about everything and their training.

IN: What was your favorite thing about the Trials?
JL: Just the amount of people in the stands. It amazed me to have that much noise and atmosphere while diving.

IN: Do you have a ritual between dives?
JL: Sort of. I completely get away from the competition. I eat, talk, dance. I completely remove myself from diving.

IN: What do you do in your spare time?
JL: Spare times? (laughter) Dive probably, to be honest. I'm either practicing or competing right now. But when I do, I do normal 18-year-old things, go to movies, hang out with friends.

IN: What's your favorite movie?
JL: Dumb and Dumber

IN: What is your ultimate diving goal?
JL: In terms of competitions, I would like to compete at the 2008 Olympics.