Diving star looks to future

by Kristie Boudwin

Daily Lobo

The Mountain West Conference named UNM senior Becca Barras diver of the week for the fourth-consecutive week and 16th time in her career as a collegiate diver.

Barras competes in the one-meter springboard, three-meter springboard and the platform events. She is the MWC season record-holder in all three.

Barras swept the board events in the Air Force Academy Invitational and the New Mexico State matchup.

Barras was a gymnast until age 11. She said after five years of frequent injuries in gymnastics, she wanted to explore something else.

"I had a friend who was a gymnast and started diving," Barras said. "I tried it, and I liked it."

Barras developed her diving skills in her hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. Because Canadian schools do not offer collegiate athletic scholarships, she explored options in the United States.

Barras said she was impressed by the UNM coach and decided to come to UNM. She said her experience here has been positive.

"I love diving," Barras said. "It's my passion. Being able to get a scholarship for what I love doing is awesome."

Barras said the accomplishment that meant the most to her while diving at UNM was being jointly named MWC Diver of the year with her teammate Tracey Berghian.

"The two of us were neck-and-neck all year," Barras said. "Both of us winning Diver of the Year was an honor."

Coach Abel Sanchez said Barras is strong, agile, elegant and graceful in the air when naming a few of the things that set her apart from other divers. He also attributed her success to characteristics beyond her physical abilities.

"She is dedicated and strong-headed," Sanchez said. "She is very quiet, so she is very unassuming. She's got it all together."

Barras was the MWC champion last season and will defend her title at the MWC championship Feb. 23-26.

"We head to conference on Monday, and hopefully she will win every event," Sanchez said.

Barras said diving is very team-oriented in conference competition, then becomes more individual as divers are selected to compete at nationals.

Last season, Barras competed in the NCAA nationals and placed 18th. She said she thinks she could have done better.

"I didn't dive too well," Barras said. "I was nervous and felt really off. This year I definitely want to make the finals."

Making the final round at nationals would place Barras in the top eight and make her an All-American.

She said she still gets nervous in competition, but her hard work in practice and experience help her stay calm.

"Every practice I come and I just try to do my dives like I am competing every time," Barras said.

This is Barras' final year competing at UNM. She is a nursing student and said she wants to finish her nursing program and continue to dive.

"I think I will try out for the Canadian National Team next year and just see where it takes me," Barras said.

Sanchez said he is hopeful for Barras' future as this season concludes and beyond collegiate competition.

"It would be excellent to see her go to the Olympic Games," Sanchez said. "That is all up to her."