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BYU commit Sophia DeBergh is diving into her last swim season at San Juan Hills
DeBergh is wrapping up her final year at SJHHS before heading to BYU in the fall. (Courtesy: Carlo Vellandi)

BYU commit Sophia DeBergh is diving into her last swim season at San Juan Hills

LADERA RANCH, Calif. — While most kids are out on the field or court, Sophia DeBergh is flipping into the pool. Currently diving for San Juan Hills High School (SJHHS) and the Mission Viejo Nadadores, DeBergh recently committed to Brigham Young University (BYU). 

“It was the community and the location,” says DeBergh when explaining what drew her to BYU. “It’s not too far from home, but not too close, and the community is awesome. The coach and the team were super welcoming.”

DeBergh officially made the switch from gymnastics to diving at age 12 after learning about the sport on a family vacation. Tired and burnt out on gymnastics, she realized quickly that her skills were transferable to diving. “It really helped a lot with flexibility and spotting,” DeBergh shares. “So, it was a pretty easy transition.” 

Not all her training is done in the air and the pool. Diving practices last two hours. The first hour is on dry land, using trampolines and diving boards to flip into a foam pit. Then after an hour of diving in the pool, DeBergh and her teammates use online videos to help develop flexibility, taking Pilates or stretching classes.

One of the most demanding challenges for any young student-athlete is balancing the sport with their grades and learning. DeBergh focuses on making a game plan to know when she has time to train and when she has time to study and do homework. 

On top of the usual time crunch challenges for any high-performing high school athlete, diving is a sport that requires travel time during the school week. Because of this, DeBergh has had to focus. “I have to work with my teachers and let them know when I am going to miss school so that I can do the work ahead of time,” DeBergh points out. “I really just have to communicate and be sure to make a schedule for myself.”

Compared to the number of kids that start with baseball, soccer, and other traditional sports, most younger people don’t get into diving competitively. But really, it is never too early or late to try something new. 

“Not a lot of people that I know started at a young age,” adds DeBergh. “Some of the best divers out there begin around age 16 and excel through college.”

DeBergh has lived in Ladera Ranch for most of her life.  “Being surrounded by a community with everyone in sports is a big reason for my success,” she points out. “It’s not like I’m the only person training; everyone else is also at sports after school.”

Sophia DeBergh is ready to compete and continue to excel for San Juan Hills in her last season of high school competition. Watch for her to carry on her success at BYU.

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