Diving in with Hannah Craley and Jaclynn Fowler

Under the Surface with Hannah

Major: undecided (pursuing dermatology)
Favorite hobby (outside of sports): shopping and watching TV
Favorite musical artist: Post Malone
Favorite meal: sushi
Strangest talent: being really double-jointed in my neck
Biggest fear: being kidnapped
Describe self in three words: sunshine, determined, outgoing
Person you'd most like to meet: Shi Tingmao
This year's Halloween costume: rappers, superheroes or hippies (dressing together)
Dream vacation spot: somewhere tropical
Sport you'd like to try but never have: surfing

Under the Surface with Jaclynn

Major: Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance
Favorite hobby (outside of sports): spending time with family and going to the beach
Favorite musical artist: Khalid
Favorite meal: sushi
Favorite superhero: superman
Strangest talent: can make tongue into three-leaf clover
Biggest fear: putting ear drops in my eyes
Describe self in three words: humble, hardworking, focused
Person you'd most like to meet: Ellen DeGeneres
This year's Halloween costume: rappers, superheroes or hippies (dressing together)
Dream vacation spot: Greece
Sport you'd like to try but never have: wakeboarding

With the 2019-20 swimming and diving season now underway, GopherSports.com continues to sit down which each of Minnesota's 24 newcomers in order to get to know them better as the Gophers progress through the present campaign.

This week's Q&A features freshmen divers Hannah Craley and Jaclynn Fowler. During their high school years, both divers left their respective homes at the age of 15 to train at Ripfest Diving Club in Indiana. They have been close friends ever since and now find themselves practicing alongside one another in the Maroon and Gold on a daily basis.

A Native of Redding, Conn., Craley is a former All-American and State Champion diver. Dating back to her days on the east coast, she set the Conn. state diving record and qualified for USA Diving Senior Nationals and Junior Nationals.

This past year, Fowler became a USA Diving National Finalist. Before breaking through with a fifth place finish, the Laguna Nigel, Calif. native was a three-time USA Diving National Qualifier, including being a Senior National Qualifier in 2018 and 2019.

Gopher Sports: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Craley: "For me, definitely Wenbo [Chen], one of the best coaches in the world. When you combine that with the positive team atmosphere, as well as the amazing facilities, I feel like you can't find a better place."
Fowler: "I chose Minnesota because of all the facilities. On all of my trips, there was nothing that compared to here. Also, Wenbo is one of the best coaches in the country and in the world. He's helped so many Olympians reach their goals."

GS: When did you first start swimming and when did you know that you wanted to compete collegiately?
Craley: "I was a gymnast, kind of from mommy and me. At about age 13, I actually broke my hip in track & field. As much as you can at age 13, I had a realization in my life in that I should probably move onto something else. I kind of just told my mom I wanted to start diving and it was very out of the blue. At age 15, I moved to Indiana to homeschool and train full-time, so I think that's where I got good enough to dive in college."
Fowler: "I started diving when I was like seven years old. I was a gymnast before. I had to choose between the two and when I chose, my mom told me she was a diver. It ran in my family, but she didn't tell me until after I chose because she wanted it to be my decision. By the time I was twelve, I knew this was what I wanted to do. When I was 15, I moved to Indiana and trained six-to-eight hours per day and did online school. That really helped me get into college because I was able to train a lot more and get a lot better."

GS: What has been the biggest element of the transition to college for you?
Craley: "Just everything altogether. Before, when I was homeschooled and stuff, I really just focused on diving. Being able to balance my academics and getting into my schoolwork with also giving 100% to diving after I've attended a full day of classes."
Fowler: "Definitely, academically. I did online school, so I haven't been attending classes for the past three years. That was a big thing, actually having to take the bus to go to class. I've never done that. I definitely thought that was a big transition for me."

GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in the pool and what is one thing you're hoping to improve this year?
Craley: "The ability to make corrections. That's what I focus on when I'm doing a dive after I've heard my correction. I know Wenbo's the best of the best and if you just improve little by little, it's definitely going to be worth it in the end. What I can probably improve on the most with Wenbo, which I'm excited to do, is my consistency. I think sometimes I can nail a dive and then sometimes it's not the best one I've ever done. I think being able to dive with him, my consistency will improve as well."
Fowler: "I think one of my biggest strengths would be following corrections and being able to make those improvements. I think the best thing, working with Wenbo, is getting a different point of view from my other coaches. What I've realized is when I switch up a coach every couple of years, I get better because I'm getting new corrections I haven't heard before."

GS: What is the most memorable moment of your diving career?
Craley: "Probably receiving four coaches' awards. I think that kind of made me realize that my hard work is being seen. My ability to make corrections and constantly strive to do my best and work as hard as I can – I think that was definitely the biggest moment. For me, it's not necessarily about winning, it's about doing the best that I possibly can and being recognized that I'm trying my best all the time."
Fowler: "Definitely finaling at Nationals this past year. I've gone to Nationals in the past, but I've never finaled. This year, being my last Junior year and being able to final – I got fifth – so that was pretty memorable."

GS: Who has been your biggest mentor or inspiration throughout your career?
Craley: "Definitely my mom. She understood my goals and my dreams and what I wanted to do. She was able to portray that to my dad, who was a bit hesitant to let his little girl at 15 move away from home. I think she really understands what I want and how I'm willing to work for it. She's definitely been my biggest advocate and biggest supporter."
Fowler: "Definitely my mom. She just wants me to be the best person that I can be and she wants the best things for me in my life. I come from a single mother, so it's always been just my mom and me. I know she wants the best for me and I appreciate that so much because she allowed me to move when I was so young and pursue my dreams."

GS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
Craley: "The day before, I only eat lettuce. It makes me feel more confident in myself. During warm-ups, I'm super outgoing and I like talking to people and chatting. When it comes to the meet, I get in my own world and I don't talk to anyone except my coaches."
Fowler: "I don't do anything the night before. I just have to make sure that I get enough sleep because I know I'll be up stressing about the meet. When I get to the pool, I like to just be by myself. I put my headphones in and listen to music and do my own warm-up. I just like to be in my own personal bubble. No distractions and focusing on myself."

GS: What are you looking forward to most throughout the upcoming season?
Craley: "Being around people that are as hard-working and strive for success as much as I do individually. I think being in that atmosphere is just so amazing and I'm really excited to see what we can do as a team this year. I really think that we're going to surprise some people."
Fowler: "Traveling, for sure. I'm so excited to go to Florida [State]. Being with an entire team. Before, it's been like eight people that I traveled with and we weren't even together. We bought our own flights and were by ourselves. That's a new feeling that I'm super excited for."

Follow Women's Swim & Dive

Don't miss any of the action from the course. Stay connected to Gopher Women's Swim & Dive!

Support Swim & Dive

Support the University of Minnesota Swim & Dive program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Hannah Craley

Jaclynn Fowler