LFC Diver Heath Ogawa Wins 2nd Division III National Championship

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest College senior Heath Ogawa was named the NCAA Division III Diver of the Year for the second consecutive year Saturday following the national championship meet in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Ogawa, a Deerfield resident and Deerfield High School grad, won his second national championship Thursday, taking first place in the 1-meter diving competition.

In his fourth year as a Midwest Conference champion, Ogawa becomes the first member of the Lake Forest College program to win national championships across multiple seasons, according to the college. He also finished in fourth place in this year's 3-meter event after winning it in 2018.

At the conclusion of the national championship meet, Ogawa and Lake Forest College Diving Coach Nathan Lightman were named the Division III Diver and Diving Coach of the Year by the the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.

Lightman won the award in his second season coaching athletes at the college level, according to LFC. Ogawa wrapped up his Lake Forest College career with nine All-American performances and three Honorable Mention All-American finishes.

Watch: Highlights of Ogawa's 1-mete championship performance around the 3:10 mark

Ogawa said he headed into the final national meet of his college career without a specific goal or expectations.

“Of course I wanted to win, but my main focus was to enjoy what I’ve achieved so far and enjoy the journey," he told the Lake County News-Sun. “I focused on being present — not focus too much on the competition. Be there and entertain the crowd.”