Montserrat Gutierrez Lavenant is one of the most decorated divers in LSU history. Finishing as the SEC Champion during the last two seasons for the Tigers, as well as NCAA runner-up in the 10-meter platform.

Montse is from Mexico. Seeing how divers tend to struggle back home, she decided to take a decision that would help her not only in her diving career but also with her studies.

“In Mexico, there are not a lot of opportunities to do school and diving at the same level, so it’s hard to combine both of them.”

Being Mexican myself, I can confirm that divers and Olympic athletes in our country tend to struggle because of the lack of support they suffer.

Her level was high, as at the beginning of her collegiate career she was competing for LSU and her country in the most important events like the World Cup but decided to commit 100% to LSU after a traumatic experience.

“I went to the World Cup and I got eight in the world it was a really good result, afterwards there was gonna be a qualifier Olympic trials, and I got injured three days before my competition.

Despite her successful career at LSU, she struggled to stay healthy.

“I’ve felt with a lot of injuries in the past, one of those was a spinal fracture, which I’ve been dealing with since I got here.”

These injuries have led her to take an important decision.

“I’ve been diving for 15 plus years, so it’s been a long time. A lot of people have asked me if I am actually gonna be done, If I’m retired or is there something else I can give to the sport, and right now my answer is yes I’m retired.”

Her future is bright as she is saying goodbye to competing, but not to her sport.

“I am currently looking for a GA position, which is the graduate assistant coach position. Unfortunately, LSU won’t have the position, so I am looking for an opportunity in other schools”

As a GA, she will have the opportunity of getting a Master’s degree. She is very thankful of the opportunity LSU and American universities grant international student athletes.