By Emma Gresser, Swimming World College Intern
Torri Olanski moved south from London, Canada to attend the University of Houston and continue her auspicious diving career in the fall of 2011. She was recruited based off of her impressive accomplishments at an early age. Olanski consistently finaled at Canadian Junior Nationals and started competing at the Canadian Senior National level in 2007. In 2008, Olanski won the Atlantic and Ontario Provincial. She went on to final at the World Championship Trials and Canada Games in 2009. She was the Atlantic Champion in the 1-meter, 3–meter, and platform events in 2010.
Three years ago, at the start of Olanski’s collegiate diving career, things started off as the Cougars had hoped. She began her promising career with competition at Boston University attaining second place in the 1–meter and third place in the 3–meter. Olanski continued her shining debut against Boston College, where she scored two third-place finishes in the 1–meter, a personal best of in the 3–meter. She surpassed her previous personal best score against Texas to take home a sixth place finish.
Shortly after competition in January of 2012, Olanski’s career was cut short by a hard hit. The injury occurred at a dual meet, where Olanski competed in the 10-meter platform.
“I hit my head on the water during one of the dives,” she said. “And because I didn’t know I had a concussion, I finished the meet and it got much worse.”
She suffered from post-concussion syndrome. Despite this setback, Olanski decided to face adversity head-on and with poise. She took on the role of team manager of the Houston Cougars Swimming and Diving program. Olanski has held this title since 2012.
“Everyone worked really hard to have me stay on the team,” Olanski explained.
Most athletes might not show this much grace after such a tough decision. Olanski showed overcoming adversity was part of her strong character and she has helped the team thrive in a different way.
Going from practicing in the water to transitioning to staying on the pool deck changed her perspective.
“I have a good relationship with the team,” Olanski said. “They are very respectful towards me and respect that I am apart of the staff.”
Olanski is a marketing and entrepreneurship major, and is able to practice her business skills in her managerial position. Some of her duties include: assisting in competition, hosting meets and helping with hospitality, organizing recruiting, blogging about the team’s progress for a season, and updating social media and.
“Running a swimming and diving program is like running a business. I make sure things run smoothly,” Olanski said.
In addition to the business side of things, she also attends most practices where she uses video equipment and helps the girls with whatever they need. The team manager puts in about 10 to 20 hours each week, in addition to her busy schedule as a full-time student.
After four years in Houston, Olanski feels she made the right decision despite her obstacles as a diver. Concluding a 13-year diving career and continuing to stay involved with the team, she learned there is more than just competing in your sport that makes you a part of the school. It is about the relationships and opportunities you can take away from being a student-athlete.
“I could have decided to leave, but the University of Houston is a place of excitement and an institution to grow in,” Olanski said. “We prove our motto every day – ‘You are the Pride.’”