UNC Swim and Dive’s very own Aranza Vazquez made a splash in Wednesday’s 3-meter springboard competition at the Paris Olympics. The two-time Olympian for Mexico jumped out of the pool after her second dive and did a little dance to celebrate a successful performance. She finished the preliminary competition in third place with a score of 321.75, which qualified her for the next round.
“It gives you a lot of comfort knowing you can do it and a lot of confidence knowing that you are up there,” Vazquez said.
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Vazquez’s resume is already stacked with 4 NCAA and 5 ACC titles to her name, but she’d love to add an Olympic medal to the collection.
“It would be incredible. If it happens, at this point, it’s all in God's hands,” Vasquez said. “If it happens I’ll be happy, and if it doesn’t, but I did a great dive, great list, great competition, I’ll be happy with the result.”
She credits the support of her UNC coach Yaidel Gamboa and her teammates in her journey here.
“Being able to stay in North Carolina, to keep practicing with Gamboa, to keep practicing with my team, they’ve been helping a lot. My friends and everyone’s been texting me and wishing me the best so it’s been great. North Carolina has my heart,” Vazquez said.
Vazquez will look to keep focusing on the experience rather than a pursuit of perfection as she continues competing in the Games.