Isaac Bassett
During their final home meet against Cal Lutheran on Senior Day, captain of the men’s swim and dive team Isaac Bassett (senior) set the school record for the one meter dive with a score of 521.75 on Jan. 31. Bassett’s score surpassed that of former NCAA Division III National Champion Jonathan Dohring ‘07, qualifying him for NCAA Diving Regionals.
Head swim and dive coach Haley Meryl said Bassett’s consistency throughout the season has helped him grow into the athlete he is now.
“[Bassett] is one of our captains this year, so it’s really cool to have seen how much he’s grown,” Meryl said. “He’s super talented […] any time I look over I never cease to be amazed, he’s super consistent, he’s very reliable.”
Dive coach Jean Luc Miralda said Bassett’s consistency and perseverance contribute to him being a leader on the team.
“He goes out there and attacks the dive, he might smack on it, he might land not the best way possible, but he’ll still step back up and try it again and make the corrections that we’re asking him to do,” Miralda said. “It’s really exciting to see him develop and adapt and lead the team by example.”
Bassett said he keeps an open mind when trying new dives on the board.
“I never want to complain about something I have to do,” Bassett said. “It’s a privilege to do hard dives because that means you’re getting better. I like to accept every challenge. If there’s a hard dive, I’d rather do that […] even if I mess up sometimes.”
Miralda said Bassett displays his selflessness by helping teammates overcome both physical and mental obstacles.
“He goes out of his way to explain [dive technique] to some people and really reassure them by being a friend that’s there to listen — that’s what leadership is all about,” Miralda said. “Having someone that you can rely on is huge.”
Bassett said his success comes from maintaining a clear and open perspective about new challenges on the board.
“If I really can’t work it out during practice, I’ll take a break, go home [and] try to sleep it off,” Bassett said. “Sometimes I’ll watch some videos of professionals to try and hone in on what I’m missing. A lot of diving is mindset, trying to get over that mental block. You might smack a couple times but eventually you’ll get there.”
Emily Ko
Emily Ko (senior), a transfer from Folsom Lake College, has been a key contributor for the women’s basketball team this season.
Head coach Anahit Aladzhanyan said Ko’s demeanor on and off the court is a contributing factor to her recent success.
“She’s a wonderful human being,” Aladzhanyan said. “[She’s] very responsible and fun. One thing about her that stands out is how selfless she is. She really cares about our team’s success.”
Assistant coach Isaiah Gatewood-Flowers said Ko’s versatility as a player demonstrates her instincts and ability to read the game. Gatewood-Flowers said Ko tends to make big shots in important moments.
“Whatever the team needs on the court, she’ll walk in and fill that role,” Gatewood-Flowers said. “Her nickname is ‘Big Shot M.’”
Forward Ila Giblin (sophomore) said she sees Ko as a role model on and off the court. Giblin said Ko encourages everybody to do better for the sake of the team.
“Maybe not in the words of affirmation sense, but more in the intensity and example she brings,” Giblin said. “In games when she subs, she definitely brings a big spark.”
Ko said her key to success in basketball and life is consistency, which she achieves by focusing on small goals.
“We used to say at my old school to get 1% better every day,” Ko said. “You’re dedicating your time to this. Make it worthwhile.”
Contact Mars Gallati at gallati@oxy.edu
