Even with one national diving title already hers, Kenyon College’s Maria Zarka trained this past year as if she still had a lot to prove.<\/p>\n
The effort paid off when she captured another national title recently in the 3-meter competition as well as placing second in the 1m at the NCAA Division III Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
“I was very happy to find out that last year wasn’t a fluke,” said Zarka, a Kaneohe native and former Kalaheo High standout.<\/p>\n
“This entire season has been exciting and fun. I still would have come away with a positive feeling overall if I hadn’t won.”<\/p>\n
Zarka’s showing helped the Kenyon women’s team tally 456 points, good for second place for her Ohio school behind five-time champion Emory University.<\/p>\n
She also was honored as NCAA Division III Women’s Diver of the Year.<\/p>\n
Zarka took some time away from the pool and the classroom this week to visit with MidWeek<\/I>‘s Windward Islander<\/I>.<\/p>\n
Who has had the biggest impact on your life? <\/B>My parents (Chris and Kamiala) have been so supportive, and they’re the reason I’ve had success. They forced me to go to practice even when I didn’t want to. My dad pushed me when I couldn’t push myself and set me up for the future.<\/p>\n
What did you work on the most in the off-season? <\/B>I spent a lot of time on diving basics in the beginning, then I did what are known as ‘lift practices’ – when you practice what you’d do at a meet. There are 11 dives, and you do each dive once. It’s a oneand-done, make-it-or-break-it practice.<\/p>\n
What movie could you watch over and over? <\/B>The Lego Movie<\/I>. My boyfriend brought me, and I was laughing the whole time.<\/p>\n
What item couldn’t you live without? <\/B>My iPod. Our campus is like a mile-long, and everything takes time to get to. The walk is more fun with music.<\/p>\n
Who are three of your favorite musical artists? <\/B>Shakira, Rihanna, and Mumford and Sons.<\/p>\n
What is your least favorite household chore? <\/B>Laundry and folding clothes.<\/p>\n
What website do you go to the most? <\/B>Reddit.<\/p>\n
What road trip do you most look forward to during the season? <\/B>We drove to Florida for training and Indianapolis for nationals, but I hate long car rides. I like shorter distances, so I’ll say our trips to Dennison, which is our rival. It’s only 45 minutes.<\/p>\n
When you have free time, how do you spend it? What are your hobbies? <\/B>During the off-season I have a workout partner, Megan (Remillard), and we do the Insanity Challenge Video 90 days in a row. I guess that’s my hobby.<\/p>\n
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? <\/B>I’d like to follow in my mom’s footsteps. She’s a pilot for Hawaiian Air.<\/p>\n
You’re stuck on Kahoolawe and can have an endless supply of just one food. What would it be? <\/B>Cheese.<\/p>\n
jackster.1969@yahoo.com <\/I><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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