Young diver makes a splash

MAARTEN HOLL/Dominion Post

DIVING IN: Gabe Armstrong-Scott.

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Gabe Armstrong-Scott was named last week in the New Zealand team to compete in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. She tells Linda Wood about her likes and dislikes. --------------------

Q: What was the reaction at school after the announcement of your selection in the team for the Commonwealth Games team to New Delhi?

A: When I walked into St Catherine's everyone was calling out congratulations to me and just came up to me to give me a hug. The teachers all congratulated me. It was good.

Q: What has been the reaction from your friends?

A: It has been absolutely crazy, my phone has not stopped ringing. The amount of support I get from everybody is just incredible – I'm so lucky to have such a fantastic support network behind me.

Q: Your best subject at school?

A: Music.

Q: If music is your best subject, and that is perhaps not too surprising since both your parents have been in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and you, when time allows it, busk on your violin on Wellington streets to help with your costs, what then is your worst subject at school, or the one you like the least?

A: I don't have one ... (just in case the teachers read this!!).

Q: What has been the most embarrassing moment you have had when diving?

A: I had a huge splat off the 10m diving platform one training session when there was a huge crowd watching me!

Q: The saying is `You are what you eat' and it is said that your schoolbag can sometimes look like a supermarket basket, what could we always find in your fridge at home?

A: Eggs, milk, salad, bacon and cheese.

Q: So what then is your favourite food?

A: Burritos.

Q: Who has had the biggest influence on your diving career to date?

A: My coach, Steven Zhu, because I have learnt so much from him.

(A top Chinese coach, Zhu arrived in Wellington three years ago and recruited Armstrong-Scott for his high performance squad. Since then, she has improved and he has made her realise her potential).

Q: You were at the movies watching Karate Kid when you learnt of your selection in the team to attend the Commonwealth Games, so what is the best movie you have seen?

A: The Colour Purple.

Q: We know that swimmers have early wake-up calls each morning, so what about divers. Are their alarms also set early?

A: Mine is at 5.30am.

Q: We know athletes need food for fuel, so can you cook?

A: It's not my strongest point.

Q: We also know teenagers have to do work around home, so what's your least-liked task in the Armstrong-Scott house?

A: Cooking.