A two-time medalist at the junior world championships, Hernandez went up against the world’s best as a senior for the first time at the Tokyo Games, finishing ninth. She said she learned a lot from being around the world’s elite at the biggest competition. Since then she’s seen growth in herself, in and out of the pool, thanks to her experience at Texas. She is an exercise science major and is settling nicely into the college experience.

“At this point, I feel more confident in what I am doing, because I am more experienced,” she said. “I understand what I need to do to compete, and I am super able to find the approaches to get things done. I’ve got great teammates and friends, and they’re so supportive.”

She feels stronger, thanks to two years of college weight training and conditioning, but also by working on her mental and emotional states. Hernandez said she was down on herself at times and needed to work through how she dealt with stress and pressure as an elite athlete and college freshman.

“I really feel that the growth is in the mental side, because I was really struggling there for a while,” she said. “I learned how deal with changes, how to better adapt. I had to shift to being in a new place, new coaches, new teammates. I learned about myself and my diving. Now, this year, I knew what to expect, and how to better prepare myself. So I think it’s all gone a lot better. I feel good.”

Hernandez freely admits she is looking carefully toward Paris, working on the training plan to prepare her for the 2024 cycle. The U.S. Trials, and hopefully another chance to compete in the Olympics, will require more intensive and thoughtful preparations. Adding two or three new pike dives are on the long-range to-do list, to up her scoring potential.

“Paris is definitely on my mind,” she said. “Right now I want to get through this summer, and these meets, by being really competitive. Coming into fall, I will think about switching up my training a little bit. That’s the time to put in new dives, new goals … it will all be a work in progress.

“I think that heading into trials, there will be a little more pressure than last time, but I will know what it feels like this time. I want to make it, and if I have the opportunity to make it, the experience at the Olympics will be a lot different.”

A Second Trip To Japan Brings Excitement, Opportunity For Diver Hailey Hernandez

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