WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, a handful of divers at Purdue University are preparing for the trip of a lifetime.
Four Boilermakers have qualified for the 2024 Summer Games, including 20-year-old Daryn Wright.
"Extremely blessed, to say the least," said Wright.
The soon-to-be junior at Purdue is a Plainfield High School graduate, who said she's been diving since she was 9 years old.
"It wasn't until I was 16 or 17 when I was like, 'I think I can be really good if I really put my heart into this,'" said Wright.
Now, with days until the start of the 2024 Games, Wright said she is ready for her first Olympics.
"I grew up watching the Olympics, cheering for Team USA," she said. "So being able to be one of those athletes is just incredible."
Wright said leading up to the trip, she is leaning heavily on diving head coach David Boudia.
The three-time Olympian and 2012 gold medalist took over as head coach this year, after longtime coach Adam Soldati was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
"Obviously, I have no idea what I'm getting into," said Wright. "(Boudia) clearly knows what I am getting into. So it's been a lot of, 'Oh, I'm nervous about this.' He's like, 'No, don't. I've been there. You'll be fine.'"
"I love that stuff," said Boudia. "I am excited to see what kind of battles they have mentally and be right beside them to help them."
Purdue's diving roster in Paris also boasts two international athletes.
Jaye Patrick is on Team Latvia, and Maycey Vieta qualified for Team Puerto Rico. Both women will compete in women's 10-meter platform diving, along with Wright.
"Here, we are a family," said Wright. "It's so special, because we are all so good. That only helps your practice more."
The fourth Boilermaker is Greg Duncan, who will compete alongside Tokyo Olympian Tyler Downs in men's 3-meter synchronized diving.
The opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics is set for Friday, July 26 on NBC.