By Brendan Kurie, The Standard Times (New Bedford)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Let's start with the things Elizabeth Lamarre hadn't done before the start of her senior year at Bridgewater State:

Competed in a varsity sport in high school or college? Nope.

Walked out on the board for a competitive dive? Nah.

Been a member of a swim team? Not even.

Lamarre graduated from Dartmouth High without ever suiting up for the Indians (although she was a member of the color guard). For 15 years, she was a gymnast, competing and training with Bay State Gymnastics until a broken ankle ended it all her junior year.

After three years at BSU, the pull to get back into athletics was strong, and she decided to try her hand at diving for the Bears.

In just her second meet featuring a full 11-dive requirement, she broke the school record with a 383.75 score, eclipsing a mark that stood since 2008, when her current coach, Jennifer Jackson, set it at 361.85.

"It was actually a big surprise to me," Lamarre said. "I kind of treat every meet the same. I go out there and try to have a good time and do my best. It was definitely a surprise."

Lamarre broke the record during a 160-125 loss to Brandeis University on Saturday. While Lamarre has competed in several meets that feature six dives from one meter and six dives from three meters, this was just her second with 11 dives from the same height.

"My coach just said you'd better take a look at these scores," she said. "She's someone I look up to. It was exciting to take her place."

On Sunday, against Keene State, Lamarre won the 1m and 3m diving competitions recording career-best scores of 209.55 (1m) and 229.60 (3m).

Lamarre says her lifetime of gymnastics has helped her reduce the learning curve in diving.

"I'm able to pick up new dives easily," she said, adding a team trip to Puerto Rico over winter break helped her. "I think that kind of motivated me to try out new dives. I think all that training really paid off."

Lamarre's next goal is to place at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association (NEISDA) Championships in three weeks. To place means she needs a top-eight finish. In that meet she'll perform 22 dives, 11 at 1m and 11 at 3m over three days of competition.

After her brief collegiate athletic career is over, Lamarre will graduate in the spring with dual majors in early childhood education and psychology. She is student teaching at East Bridgewater Elementary and hopes to become a kindergarten teacher, but may continue on for her master's degree first.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher," she said.

So has it been worth it? Picking up a sport so late in her college career?

"I had no idea it would be this much fun," she said. "I would definitely recommend it. Join a team and you make a lot of new friends and meet a lot of new people. It's a great support system. It was definitely my favorite of all my (college) years."