One Last Roar: Katie Kolozsvari, Swimming and Diving

"One Last Roar" is a series that will recognize the accomplishments of the senior student-athletes at Mount Holyoke College graduating during the 2020-21 academic year. From now until May, read about our senior student-athletes as they reflect on their careers as members of Lyons Nation. Make sure to check out Mount Holyoke College Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see photos of their top memories with their teammates over the past four years.

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Katie Kolozsvari (Danville, Ind.), a chemistry major and swimming and diving student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College, will graduate at the completion of the Spring 2021 semester.

As a four-year member of the Mount Holyoke swimming and diving program, Kolozsvari earned back-to-back College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America honors following their sophomore and junior seasons. The award recognizes students who achieved a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher and were invited to compete at their respective national championship. In 2020, Kolozsvari represented Mount Holyoke College at the NCAA Division III Northeast Diving Regionals, posting Top 20 finishes on each board. Kolozsvari also produced three top-10 finishes in the diving events at the NEWMAC Championships in both 2019 and 2020.

From Head Mount Holyoke Swimming and Diving Coach, Dave Allen:

"Katie has been a great addition to our team. It was a happy "accident" that she bumped into Lori Hendricks during the "move in day" her first year. Katie mentioned she was a gymnast and Lori immediately directed her to me. Since then, Katie has been an integral part of the team. Katie is always smiling and laughing and brings an energy to the team that helps raise everyone up. On the boards, Katie learned very quickly turning her gymnastics experience into diving success. She has finished in the top 10 at NEWMACs and gone to the NCAA Division III Northeast Diving Regionals two years in a row."

From Mount Holyoke Diving Coach, Rachael Araujo:

"From the moment Katie joined our team, she has approached every practice and meet with the true spirit of what it means to be a Lyon. From pushing herself in the weight room, on the boards, and in the classroom, Katie embodies everything I could ever ask for in a student-athlete. I've watched her overcome fears, set and meet goals, and support all her teammates over and over again. Katie is going to be greatly missed next year, but I'm so excited to finish her senior season on deck with the same spirit and determination she started with almost four years ago!"

More about Katie...

Overall, share a few sentences about your time as a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College. How has your experience as a student-athlete help develop you into the person you are today?

I'm a far braver person today than I was four years ago. In diving, the biggest obstacle is your own brain telling you that you can't do it, so I had to learn to acknowledge the fear and work past it. That skill has helped me immeasurably, with everything from sending professional emails to taking on challenging coursework.

What were some of your favorite memories as a member of the swimming and diving team?

My favorite memory has to be when I was trying to qualify to Regionals my sophomore year. The way that it works is you have to hit a certain score either at two normal meets or at championships at the end of the season. We had three normal meets left in the season and I missed the score by one tenth of a point – the smallest increment in diving. During our last two meets both my teammates and my friends on Smith's dive team competed extra dives with me while I was trying to make the cut. I ended up qualifying (and setting two pool records at Simmons), but the way that all of the other divers, and my amazing swimmer teammates, came together to support and help me was one of the kindest and most beautiful things I've experienced.

What are your plans following graduation?

After graduation I plan on going to graduate school to get my PhD in chemistry. I have a few virtual accepted students weekends to go to so I can talk to professors and current students before I make a final decision, but I'm really excited to learn more about chemistry and to continue with research.

Who have been some of your biggest supporters during your time at Mount Holyoke College? This can be anyone (i.e. family, friends, professors, coaches, etc.)

My teammates and coaches have been an amazing support system. Rachael, my coach, has literally taught me everything I know about diving. She's been there for me from my very first hurdle. My teammates as well, both swimmers and divers have been incredible friends and have been there for me through everything.

Pretty much every professor in the chemistry department has also been an amazing support system. Especially Professor Wei Chen, my research advisor. She has been such a positive force in my life for the last four years and I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to work in her lab.

I also have to give a special shoutout to my roommate, Jess. She came to every single home meet (and some away meets) our first year, and only stopped our sophomore year when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She's one of the strongest and sweetest people I know, and after a year off from school for chemo she came back and joined the team as a swimmer! My life is brighter because she's in it as a roommate, teammate, and friend.

What is your favorite Mount Holyoke tradition?

Mountain Day! Every year the swive team takes the long way up to the top, hiking about 6 miles from the notch. It's always a super fun bonding experience, plus you get ice cream and pins at the end, and it comes with a much needed break from classwork.

Any words of advice you have for the future student-athletes of Mount Holyoke College?

Don't be afraid to try new things, always check your email, and ask for help when you need it.