Student Ashlee “Gabby” Erickson accomplished something no Lobo diver has done since 2005 — she earned All-American honors.
In the senior’s first NCAA championship, Erickson placed 16th overall in the 1-meter board category and lasted to the final round of 16. Erickson is UNM’s first All-American diver since Becca Barras.
Lobos head coach Abel Sanchez said making the NCAAs is an achievement in itself, but gaining All-American status is a confirmation of everything that Erickson has gone through this season.
“It was an amazing feat, she did really well just to get there,” Sanchez said. “To end up 16th was a testament to her hard work, dedication and it was a great feat for not only her but for the University, the team — so everyone won.”
At the start of the season, Erickson said she didn’t consider the possibility of becoming an All-American because she didn’t know what the award was.
“It wasn’t one of my goals,” Erickson said. “I think I came into diving collegiately pretty unaware of how the sport works and how athletics in general work.”
All-American status wasn’t the only thing Erickson accomplished this season. She also won the Mountain West Conference 1-meter and 3-meter board events, along with MWC Diver of the Year award.
Erickson said her improved mental toughness, along with her dedication in training, fueled her.
“My attitude this year I think, in all, was really good,” Erickson said. “I worked really hard for everything that I’ve gotten at the end, so I’m pretty proud of myself.”
Before coming to UNM, Erickson took a few years off from diving to pursue gymnastics. Looking back, she said she can’t believe how strenuous her early days of diving were.
“It was really hard,” Erickson said. “I guess I didn’t really realize how hard it was then, but looking back on it, and knowing, it took a lot of guts to do those dives.”
Sanchez said Erickson grew not only as a diver, but as a person, throughout her years at UNM.
“She’s more mature, she definitely has a better head on her shoulders,” Sanchez said. “It was great to see her finish this way.”
Erickson said Sanchez helped her grow into the person she is today, and he is more than a coach to her.
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“He’s been like another parent to me,” Erickson said. “I’ve grown up so much since I first came in as a freshman and I don’t know if any other coach could have done it, because I was that bad.”
In her final season, Erickson said she paid her respect and thanks to her coach with her performance.
“I feel like my accomplishments weren’t just for me this year,” Erickson said. “I really did do a lot because I wanted to make him happy and proud of me.”
