ERIE — When it comes to college life, Diana Rocco is all about academics.

The Seneca Valley graduate and Gannon University junior is carrying a 4.0 grade point average this semester as a physician assistant major and has a 3.8 GPA overall.

“I came here for the academics,” Rocco said. “They have a five-year accelerated program in my field of study. Other schools offer a four-year undergraduate and two-year graduate program to get this degree.”

Diving into the books may be Rocco’s top priority. She’s pretty good at diving into the water, too.

One of only three divers on Gannon’s team, Rocco recently qualified for the Division II national meet in San Antonio, Texas, for the third straight season and became a five-time All-American for the Golden Knights.

She placed 10th in the one-meter dive with 392.10 points and 13th in the three-meter dive with 372.25 points, scoring all 11 of her team points at the meet.

No other diver in school history has been more than a two-time All-American and no other ever earned All-America honors at multiple championship meets.

“I’m proud of what I’ve done here,” Rocco said. “I didn’t know what to expect, coming to a program that didn’t have big numbers or placed a big emphasis on diving.”

Rocco’s diving coach has been Fred Evanoff, who holds that position at Allegheny College as well. Evanoff’s son and daughter swim at Gannon.

His son, Greg, was one of the three divers on the Golden Knights’ squad this year.

“I was already coaching the divers when Greg was a swimmer here,” Evanoff said. “He decided to try diving after I arrived.

“Diana is very persistent and she listens very well. When her body smacks the water (after a mistake), you can hear it, but she shrugs it off.

“She’s not a very big girl, but she’s tough and she’s determined.”

Once they arrived in San Antonio, the 36 Division II divers had to compete in a one-day pre-qualifier meet. Only the top 22 finishers there were given the opportunity to advance into the national meet.

Rocco placed only 20th off the low board during the pre-qual meet, then placed eighth off the high board. The top 11 qualifiers in either event were guaranteed a spot in the national meet.

“Diana responded to the pressure, as she normally does,” Evanoff said.

Rocco credits part of her success at Gannon to senior diver Megan Beresfford, who joined her at nationals the past two years and qualified this year. Beresford opted not to go to San Antonio.

“Megan is very good and we’ve pushed each other the past couple of years,” Rocco said. “Having a teammate with her skill level made me work harder.

“If she wasn’t here when I got here, I have to question how good my diving would have been.”

It was pretty good in high school. Rocco was a three-time MVP at Seneca Valley, placing second at the WPIAL meet once and finishing third twice.

She was recruited by some Division I schools before deciding on Gannon.

There remains some question as to whether Rocco will be diving for the Golden Knights next year.

“Our other two divers are gone and I don’t know if we’re recruiting any new ones,” she said. “I’m unsure of my coach’s status, too, or if I’ll come back as our only diver.

“I’d probably be OK (with not coming back) because my course load is going to become harder and it’s hard finding opportunities to get in the pool.”

Because of swimming and water polo practice, the pool is only available to Gannon’s divers during the early morning or well into the evening.

“If she wants to come back, I’ll be there to help her,” Evanoff promised. “I have a lot of respect for Diana as an athlete and as a person. I’ll be there to support her.”