ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Antonina Harned

Windermere High School senior and diver Antonina Harned recently won the district championship title for the third time in her high school career after earning a total of 519.95 points during the district meet. Harned also won regionals for the second time in her high school career Friday, Oct. 28, with a total of 560.80 points. She has a full ride scholarship to dive at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln.

Tell us about your years as an athlete.
I’ve been diving for pretty much all of my life. My mom was the one who got me into diving, because she used to coach here with the previous team. Because of that, I just stayed with the sport for the whole time, and I never wanted to do anything else; I really enjoyed it here. Whenever I dive and people come watch me they are always like, “Wow that’s so cool.”

How old where you when you performed your first dive?
Probably when I was 2 years old. … I’ve been doing it for so long; it’s kind of hard to tell when my first dive was.

What’s your favorite thing about diving as a sport?
Just how pretty it is and how graceful it is whenever someone does a really good dive. It has such a satisfying sound, and it’s so satisfying to see how someone can go into the water without any splash. … Every diver is different — no diver is the same — and that’s the interesting part, because everyone has one unique thing that’s unique to them.

What is that thing that makes you a unique diver?
I’m not sure, but (I think) it’s reverse on half half on 10-meter. That dive is incredibly rare. Barely anyone competes (with) it on tower at all because you are on a solid ground like concrete and you are flipping toward the tower.

Have you played any other sports?
When I was younger and my heart wasn’t fully into diving, I did ballet, karate (and) even rowing. But none of those worked out.

Which is your favorite dive to perform? Why?
Probably either back two and a half half on 10-meter or reverse two and a half on 1-meter. For the 10-meter one, it’s very easy to do, and it’s not really that hard of a dive to do — even though it may look like it. And then, also, for the 1-meter, I like it because … mainly college girls do it, and I’m one of the handful of girls who can do it … because it’s meant for people who can get height.

What has diving taught you not only on the platform but also outside of it?
Just how to maintain focus — no matter any distraction and how to manage yourself in a bad situation … and also teamwork because even though it’s an individual sport, you still want to help your teammates grow.

What will you miss most about diving in high school?
Probably representing Windermere. I really like representing the school and helping the swim team get points.

Are you thinking about diving in college?
Yes, 1,000%. I have a full ride to the University of Nebraska — Lincoln. I’m extremely excited to further my athletic career in diving, because I genuinely think if I stick (with it), and focus...I believe I have a genuine shot to getting to the Olympics. That’s my goal.

What’s your favorite hobby?
Either video games or glass painting.

What’s your favorite movie?
I like horror movies a lot. I’d probably say “The Conjuring,” because I just love the suspense in it and the build-up.

Who is your favorite superhero? 
Probably Iron Man, because he doesn’t have any special powers and all of his work came from him working hard for it. He went from nothing to having everything.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
It’d be cool to stop time, because I could be in a middle of a dive, and I could stop time and immediately correct myself. Or I could just stop time and (maybe) sleep even more.

What are three places you would like to visit? Why?
I think Japan, because I just love the cherry blossoms that bloom there and I love the architecture. Paris, because I really want to see the Eiffel Tower. The last one it’d be somewhere tropical with clear water and all secluded like the Maldives or Hawaii.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would it be and why?
A golden retriever. I have (one), and she is able to sleep all day; she loves the water. … I’d love to be a golden retriever for a day.

What color would you say represents your personality?
I’d say purple or a teal blue, because I’m always happy so it should be a more positive color.