By Pete Borello

Having just competed in the National Junior Diving Championships, Sara Bowling wasn’t sure she was up for another high-pressure meet like the Junior Pan American Games.

But once Bowling donned that U.S. national team uniform, she was sold.

“At first, I was unsure because I thought it was going to be stressful - especially after nationals - and I was a little worried,” the Los Altos Hills resident said. “Then they outfitted me with USA (clothes) and it clicked that I’d be representing my country.”

And after competing in the Junior Pan Am Games, held Aug. 8-12 in Mexico City, Bowling has no regrets about participating.

“It was a good experience,” the 17-year-old said. “It was the biggest meet I’ve been in. The competition was very good - you could tell they were the top divers in their countries.”

The games featured top junior athletes from both North and South America - including Canada, Brazil, Venezuela and host Mexico - plus South Africa.

Bowling and her Stanford Diving Club teammate Ashlee Rosenthal of Gunn High were among a group of select divers who represented the U.S. in the Girls A Division (ages 16-18).

Bowling placed fifth in the platform competition (347.45) and eighth in the 3-meter springboard event (348.55).

“I think I did OK,” the incoming senior at Castilleja School said. “I could have done better; I hoped to get a medal on platform. But it was a different atmosphere, a different language, and it influenced how I dove. I’m pretty happy with how I did, though.”

Bowling added that she turned in a better performance in the platform at the National Junior Diving Championships Aug. 3 in Indianapolis, finishing fourth in the 16-18 division.

However, her 3-meter effort was better at the Pan Am Games.

“I was pretty happy with it,” said Bowling, who’s been diving for five years. “I didn’t perform very well (in the 3-meter) at nationals. This time, I didn’t make any big mistakes.”

Teammate Rosenthal, who will dive for Stanford University next season, won the bronze in the 1-meter competition with a score of 362.75.

“She did very well,” Bowling said. “… I was glad to have her around - she was a familiar face.”

While in Mexico, Bowling, Rosenthal and the rest of Team USA also took part in activities away from the pool. This included visiting the Aztec pyramids, which Bowling described as “very interesting.”

With the Pan Am Games behind her, Bowling plans to take some time off from a sport that has dominated her life this summer.

Since school let out in June, Bowling had been practicing four hours daily under the tutelage of Stanford coach Dr. Rick Schavone

“I’m going to Hawaii for relaxation,” said Bowling, who has earned Junior Olympic All-America honors the last three years. “I’m off until Sept. 17, then (Stanford Diving Club) starts again.”

As for the future, Bowling intends to dive in college - she’s considering Princeton, Stanford, Michigan, Texas and UCLA - then go on to medical school.

Before that, however, Bowling hopes to get another chance to wear red, white and blue.

“My goal is to continue to improve my diving and hopefully be fortunate enough to compete in the Olympic Trials,” she said.