Brooke Gutheil '25 Recruiting Profile

I started my athletic career at 6 years old as a Gymnast where I competed through Junior Olympic Level 7.  A second major surgery during my freshman year of high school left me with having to make decisions about my future in competitive sports.  I had severely injured my elbow requiring a full reconstruction and 6 months of recovery/rehabilitation.  This is where my dive journey started.  During my rehab process sophomore year, I was encouraged by my friends to join them on the Swim & Dive team.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the water and swimming, but I had never thought of joining the dive team.  Joining the dive team sophomore year was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  My gymnastics background allowed me to quickly assimilate to the skills required for diving while I was recovering and at the same time, I found my passion for competitive sports again.  Our swim coach helped introduce me to the basics of diving including the approach, take-off, technique and entry.

After my first season I was cleared for Gymnastics and competed for our High School Gymnastics team, one of four gymnasts that led us to winning the SWC Championship for the first time in years.  I considered joining a Diving Club after the season, however the urge to re-join my gymnastics club prevailed, and I continued at the Diamond level.  As the months went on, I was missing diving more and more, and slowly the passion and fearlessness I once had for Gymnastics was subsiding.  I saw my commitment on the gymnastics team through its completion in the summer before my junior year.  Making the decision not to return to club gymnastics was a very difficult thing for me, but after 2 major surgeries, it was the right decision.  My love for diving had taken over!  I took a few dive lessons in the summer before my junior year to prepare.  Our high school team did not have a dive coach until 1/2 way through my junior year, but I was so excited to learn new skills and techniques that I never dreamed of.  To me diving feels like I am soaring through the air; it is one of the best feelings in the world.  Diving is still very new to me, but the drive, perseverance and mental toughness I learned with competitive gymnastics is paying off.    

I am proud of the success I have had in my short time diving.  I was able to finish with my 6-dive score qualifying me for States and I have been named a Captain for my upcoming Senior Year.  I am excited to continue on this journey at the college level for the next chapter of my diving development.