For senior Victoria So, hurdles don’t hold her back. Instead, they’ve helped her spring off the diving board and make a splash with a Division III commitment to New York University’s (NYU) diving team. After finaling in the CIF Central Coast Section, she’ll bring her flips and spins to the Big Apple.
“I liked knowing I wouldn’t have to choose between academics and athletics,” Victoria said. “At NYU, I could prioritize both.”
Victoria’s diving journey started 10 years ago, with her mother encouraging her to simply try new activities. From gymnastics to synchronized swimming, Victoria dipped her toes in a variety of sports. But only when she started diving she decided to take the full plunge.
“Diving wasn’t something I picked right away, it was something I grew into over time,” Victoria said.
It got serious quickly. Victoria joined Stanford Diving Club, one of the top clubs in the Bay Area, at age eight, where she worked hard to perfect her 1-meter, 3-meter and platform dives. Since then, her practice has paid off, helping her qualify and compete at Regional Championships, finals in many invitationals, place 11th in the 2025 CIF Central Coast Diving Championship and 5th at Davis Diving Invitational.
But it’s not just on the scoreboard where Victoria has an impact. According to her Stanford Diving Club coach Ivan Bondarenko, Victoria also helps lead her team.
Victoria’s leadership has defined her as a diver both inside and outside the pool, where she puts in the time to teach teammates or simply brings a positive attitude to practice.
“She always is willing to walk me through it step by step,” junior and Los Altos teammate Sofie Edin said. “If you are struggling, she notices and takes time to help you out.”
As she takes on her senior year, she is preparing for the final competitive chapter of her club career, with hopes of advancing to higher-level USA Diving meets before she transitions to college.
“Hopefully she’ll have the chance to make nationals,” Bondarenko said. “She’s very coachable so when you give her feedback she always listens and makes the corrections.”
In the search for the perfect college, Victoria looked for a school that not only offered a good diving program but also provided a high level of academic rigor. She found both of those things at NYU, where she plans to pursue nursing in the future.
“This is an amazing opportunity for her,” Sofie said. “I’m so glad she gets to experience diving for NYU and she definitely deserves it.”
The bustle of New York City was also a major bonus. Despite being slightly intimidated by the chaos of the big city, she looks forward to meeting new people and taking on new experiences.
“It’s something completely new for me, and I’m excited to figure it out as I go,” Victoria said.
