Austin senior Autumn Laury. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Q: How did you originally get into your sport?

A: In my first year of the sport as a whole, I was trying to decide between swimming and diving. I practiced swimming in the morning and diving at night, and after a few days chose swimming. It didn’t quite feel right, so the next year my friend and I went out on a whim and joined diving and have been in it ever since.

Q: What’s your favorite sports memory?

A: There have been many good memories throughout my years in diving, but my ultimate favorite was the honor of hearing my name called for getting 3rd place at state and standing on the podium. It wasn’t just the part of performing so well at the meet, but all the hard work that it took to get to that point and finally have my goal accomplished. I’d wanted to go to state from the time I had joined, but it took until my junior year, after two years of being so close to making it, to finally qualify.

Q: What have you learned from playing sports?

A: I have learned that if you set your mind to something, no goal in unachievable.

Q: What is the hardest part about your sport?

A: It’s not necessarily doing all the hard dives, but the toll it takes on your body and having to be confident at big meets because your dives can look great one minute and awful the next.

Q: Who is your biggest sports role model and why?

A: My biggest sports role model is a diver who just graduated from Albert Lea, Karli Kriewall. She was a great diver from the time that I started, and for a few years I didn’t like her because she was so good. But after a while I began to like her because of all of her determination, good attitude, and cheering me on at meets. She was always a hard worker and helped inspire me to work harder so that I could be as great of a diver as she is.

Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?

A: Mighty Joe Young

Q: What is your favorite subject in school?

Spanish.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: To either teach Spanish speaking kids English, or to teach English speaking kids Spanish.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Mac & cheese.