To the lay observer there would seem to be a lot of parallels between gymnastics and diving. There is the barefoot sprinting up to and jumping off of things way too high in the air to be considered safe to most people which is then followed by flipping and spinning. No matter how complex the latter combinations of gyrations, they are only thought to be impressive if the gymnast/diver lands relatively smooth (i.e. balanced or with little splash). As one of these aforementioned lay observers this is what I have gleaned from consuming two weeks of the Summer Olympics every four years. Not surprisingly, my ignorance was then showcased when I asked freshman diver Kara Wheeler (Wichita, Kansas) if I was correct about my conclusions.

"Besides the running and taking off thing, there are not too many similarities," Wheeler informed me. "But do not worry, I thought there would be a lot more similarities when I first started diving, too."

Wheeler's switch to diving happened a little more than a year and a half ago. After landing on her head and breaking her back during a parallel bars routine Wheeler, who had been doing gymnastics since she was four, was forced into a back brace. Once she became healthy she went back to gymnastics, but found her back would not allow her body to move in the way it once had.

"I wanted to get back into gymnastics so bad, but my body would just not let me do it," added Wheeler.

Upon a suggestion from a high school friend Wheeler took up diving and the three-time Kansas State Gymnastics Champion has been diving ever since.

"It took me a while to get used to landing on my head not only because of the injury, but because the whole point of gymnastics is to not land on your head," says Wheeler with a slight chuckle.

Wheeler was originally looking at the University of Denver for gymnastics, but after the injury it appeared competing at DU was no longer an option. However, after getting into diving and having success her senior year she was contacted by head diving coach Aaron D'Addario and became a Pioneer nonetheless.

"I wanted to come to DU for a long time so when my gymnastics injury happened I was a little worried that this was not going to happen," says Wheeler. "However, after I started diving I decided to look at DU and it happened to work out that I still had to option to attend school and compete here."

There is a lot of the 2010-11 season remaining for the Pioneers, but Wheeler is learning quickly and with the help of her fellow divers, senior Seth McNew (Lakewood, Colo.) and junior Elizabeth Yovich (Parker, Colo.) she is getting used to the competitions.

"I miss gymnastics a lot, but diving competitions are so much fun and laid back," Wheeler says. "The divers all cheer for each other and unlike gymnastics where you have to work on your hair and makeup, with swimming your hair is a mess and you are soaking wet half the time."

Wheeler's prior success as a gymnast, her ability to embrace new challenges, and the relaxed feel of the pool create a concoction for the freshman that is sure to breed success and make for a bright future. Her success should also help strengthen the Pioneers diving program while reaffirming to lay fans like myself that in some sports it is okay to land on your head.