Paris Olympics: Diver Katrina Young finds harmony in third Olympic quest

SPORTS TEAMS TO THE WEST COAST, GOING FOR THREE AND HOPEFULLY GOLD TEAM USA DIVER KATRINA YOUNG IS NOW A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT, TRAINING FOR HER THIRD OLYMPIC TEAM. KATRINA YOUNG, JUST DOVE INTO 2024. NEW HUSBAND, NEW HOME IN LOS ANGELES TRAINING AT USC. HEY, THAT WAS NICE. YOUR INWARD ACTION IS GETTING BETTER. I CAN TELL YOU’RE FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE WITH IT. AND NEW SIDE GIG COACHING KIDS. I ALSO WANT TO BE A GOOD MENTOR FOR THEM, AND I WANT TO SHOW THEM THAT YOU SHOULD WALK WITH, YOU KNOW, HAPPINESS. SHE WALKS OR DIVES. AS A TWO TIME OLYMPIAN, PARIS WOULD BE A 13 WITH A CHANCE TO ALSO COMPETE IN SYNCHRO. HOW AMAZING IS IT WHEN WHEN YOU GO INTO THE WATER AND IT’S PERFECT, LIKE, WHAT IS IT? CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE FOR A DIVER? YEAH, IT’S LIKE EUPHORIA. IT’S JUST THERE’S NO OTHER FEELING. AND THAT’S PART OF WHY I’VE STAYED IN THIS SPORT TOO, IS I LOVE THE FEELING OF IT. LIKE YOU, WHEN YOU DART INTO THE WATER AND YOU JUST FEEL YOURSELF RIP. IT’S LIKE THIS SOUND OF A PAPER RIPPING AND YOU GO RIGHT THROUGH THE WATER. KATRINA HAS 13TH AND 17TH PLACE OLYMPIC FINISHES. YOU DO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS SERIES OF MOMENTS WHERE THE PRESSURE FEELS VERY HEAVY AND I DON’T THINK THAT I’VE EVER GOTTEN INTO THE ZONE AT THE OLYMPICS WHERE I’VE GOTTEN THROUGH THE PRESSURE. BUT SHE SAYS THE MOVE TO CALIFORNIA IS A GAME CHANGER. I PLAN ON IT BEING MY LAST TIME. THEN I WANT TO MAKE SURE I’M PUTTING MY BEST FOOT FORWARD AND REALLY HAVING MY HEART ON MY SLEEVE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW I’M JUST GOING TO BE MY BEST SELF AND WHATEVER HAPPENS FROM THERE, I DON’T HAVE ANY REGRETS ABOUT. KATRINA’S MOVE TO LA HAS ACTUALLY BEEN GREAT FOR TWO GOALS. ONE IS TO GET TO A THIRD OLYMPICS. BUT BUT THE SECOND ONE IS TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. I’M AN AMBITIOUS PERSON. WHEN PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, SAID TO ME ABOUT THE OLYMPICS GROWING UP, OKAY, THAT’S LIKE A LONG SHOT DREAM. UM, YOU KNOW, I PROVED THEM WRONG. AND SO I PLAN TO DO THAT IN MUSIC. I’M, UM, YOU KNOW, ALL ABOUT CHASING YOUR DREAMS. CHASING DREAMS, CHASING A RECORD DEAL. TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER AGAIN. CHASING KIDS AROUND A POOL DECK. IT’S A HUGE YEAR. I’M EXCITED. I FEEL A GOOD VIBES. ALL THAT’S LEFT I

Katrina Young is a three-time national champ training for her third Olympic team. The veteran athlete has new balance in her life that's bringing a new energy to her training. Young graduated from Florida State with a degree in music. She competed in both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. Young describes a feeling of unfinished business at the Olympics."I don't think that I've ever gotten into the zone at the Olympics where I've gotten through the pressure. And I'm so I'm just really hoping that I can push myself to that point to face my fears, get through the pressure and get to the zone," says Young.Young is changing focus by changing up her lifestyle this Olympic cycle. She's a newlywed. And, she's a new resident of California. Young is training in Southern California at the USC pool. Training post-college isn't always easy in diving."Once you're out of college as a professional diver, you just kind of have to blaze your own path and hope that somebody is willing to help you," says Young. Young's move to Los Angeles is also fueling a second passion. When she's not training at USC or coaching younger athletes, she's performing at small venues nearby. But singing is still second to diving. One thing that hasn't changed is Young's love of the perfect dive. "Yeah, it's like euphoria. It's just there's no other feeling. And that's part of why I've stayed in the sport too, is I love the feeling of it. You dart into the water and you just feel yourself drip. It's like the sound of a paper ripping and you go right through the water." Young will compete in both solo and synchronized diving events at the US Olympic Diving Trials June 17 to 23 in Knoxville, Tenn.Watch our 2024 Olympics specialWe will be airing our Olympic Zone special on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. on KCRA 3.With three months to go until the Opening Ceremony, we're celebrating California athletes. Meet Olympic hopefuls from California and hear about their journeys as they prepare for Paris. Plus, hear from their coaches about how they inspire greatness and get a sneak peek as organizers plan for the LA Olympics in 2028.

LOS ANGELES —

Katrina Young is a three-time national champ training for her third Olympic team.

The veteran athlete has new balance in her life that's bringing a new energy to her training.

Young graduated from Florida State with a degree in music. She competed in both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. Young describes a feeling of unfinished business at the Olympics.

"I don't think that I've ever gotten into the zone at the Olympics where I've gotten through the pressure. And I'm so I'm just really hoping that I can push myself to that point to face my fears, get through the pressure and get to the zone," says Young.

Deirdre Fitzpatrick/KCRA

Young is changing focus by changing up her lifestyle this Olympic cycle.

She's a newlywed. And, she's a new resident of California. Young is training in Southern California at the USC pool. Training post-college isn't always easy in diving.

"Once you're out of college as a professional diver, you just kind of have to blaze your own path and hope that somebody is willing to help you," says Young.

Young's move to Los Angeles is also fueling a second passion. When she's not training at USC or coaching younger athletes, she's performing at small venues nearby.

But singing is still second to diving. One thing that hasn't changed is Young's love of the perfect dive.

"Yeah, it's like euphoria. It's just there's no other feeling. And that's part of why I've stayed in the sport too, is I love the feeling of it. You dart into the water and you just feel yourself drip. It's like the sound of a paper ripping and you go right through the water."

Young will compete in both solo and synchronized diving events at the US Olympic Diving Trials June 17 to 23 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Watch our 2024 Olympics special

We will be airing our Olympic Zone special on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. on KCRA 3.

With three months to go until the Opening Ceremony, we're celebrating California athletes.

Meet Olympic hopefuls from California and hear about their journeys as they prepare for Paris.

Plus, hear from their coaches about how they inspire greatness and get a sneak peek as organizers plan for the LA Olympics in 2028.

Paris Olympics: Diver Katrina Young finds harmony in third Olympic quest

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