Despite not diving competitively before college, Lauren Cruz ’09 has been a steady force for the women’s swimming and diving team. The Forest Hills, NY native has shown consistent improvement all year, scoring 137.18 in the one-meter on Jan. 20 and impressively placing third in both the one- and three-meter events in the Cards’ convincing 182-115 win over Coast Guard last Saturday. I sat down with Cruz to talk about her goals for the NESCAC Championship, her favorite dives, and speedos.
Julian Canzoneri: So why did you decide to start diving last year?
Lauren Cruz: Mainly because I like to get wet. Also, you have to be really tight to dive. That’s why I’m good at it.
JC: Both good reasons. Which event do you like more, the three-meter or the one-meter?
LC: I like the one-meter because my butt gets bruised whenever I dive from three meters. Clap city!
JC: I saw you had a good meet last weekend. What are your goals for the rest of the season?
LC: Yeah, I dove really well last Saturday and beat my personal records on both boards. That was good and all, but nothing could really beat four to score. Except for five alive.
JC: Speaking of “four to score,” have you ever thought about getting with any of the guys on the men’s team?
LC: Well the only ones I’ve kissed have been Jess Houghton [’08] and Kalen Flynn [’10]. It’s kind of hard to be attracted to someone when you see them in a speedo every day.
JC: What are your thoughts going into the NESCAC Championships next weekend?
LC: I’m hoping to build off my recent success and help the team as best I can. But I’m pretty much just hoping I don’t choke like Lisa [Zweigenhaft ’08].
JC: What team are you looking forward to diving against most at NESCACs?
LC: Williams is the most obnoxious team we face all year. One time, they came to our pool and two of their swimmers were dating and they were giving each other massages in our hot tub between dives. And I was like, “hey, that’s where we hook up with speedoed men.” I have no problem with any other team but them.
JC: That makes you sound pretty promiscuous. So what would your pornstar name be?
LC: Jackie Cruz.
JC: What’s your favorite dive that you could unleash next weekend?
LC: Definitely a full-twisting one-and-a-half. Or an Alabama crab dangler into an angry pirate.
JC: All right, last question. How are you going to celebrate if you guys win the NESCACs?
LC: Have a clambake in Butt A.
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