As we approach the 2008 Summer Olympics, now is a good time to talk about some Olympians who have been homeschooled. Being able to make education work around training through homeschooling is something many of these athletes have in common. Haley Dyan Ishimatsu is one such athlete who is homeschooled (through an online school in California) to accommodate her training schedule of four and a half hours a day, six days a week.
Haley Ishimatsu is a 15-year-old diver and Olympic hopeful. She was born to Carol and Mark Ishimatsu September 10, 1992 in Bellflower California and raised in Seal Beach. Her sister, Tory, is also a diver. She moved to Indianapolis Indiana with her sister and father to train, and her mother visits frequently.
Haley was a gymnast before becoming a diver. She reached elite level as a diver in 2006 at the age of 14. Since then, she has consistently placed in the top 10 in all of her events. Haley is one of only three divers to perform a back 3 ½ pike and performed it at the 2008 World cup. Her accomplishments are as follows:
- 2007 Speedo USA Diving National Championships women’s platform champion, women’s synchronized platform champion
- Bronze metal: 2007 Kaiser Permanente National Championships women’s platform
- Bronze metal: 2007 Pan American Game’s women’s platform silver medalist, women’s synchronized platform
- Bronze metal: 2007 Italian Grand Prix women’s synchronized platform
- Silver metal: 2006 Kaiser Permanente National Championships women’s platform
- Speedo Junior National Diving Championships, third place on the 1-meter and platform, and fifth place on the 3-meter in 2005
- Presidential athletic award recipient in 2001 and 2002
Her synchro partner is Mary Beth Dunnichay.
In addition to diving and homeschooling, Haley Dyan Ishimatsu loves rock climbing and collects rocks from everywhere she has been. She also loves to read.
References: www.usolympicteam.com, www.usadiving.org
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