TEMPE, Ariz. -- Many of us are busy worrying about what homework we have, what we have to accomplish at work this week, or what to cook for dinner.
Over the course of the next seven days, sophomore diver Mara Aiacoboae has her mind focused on the FINA Diving World Cup -- a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics -- and the Pac-12 Women's Championships. Not to mention traveling over 13,000 miles.
The Diving World Cup starts on Saturday, Feb. 20 for Aiacoboae in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While you've seen her competing in the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions at Mona Plummer, Aiacoboae will be attempting to qualify at new, yet familiar heights off the 10-meter platform -- which is where she is best.
If she advances through the preliminary round on Saturday, she will compete in the semifinals on Sunday morning with an opportunity to advance to the finals that evening. If she advances to the semifinals, which is the top-18, Aiacoboae will qualify for the Olympics for her home country of Romania.
"It's very exciting and also very stressful -- it makes me nervous," said Aiacoboae. "I know I've worked very hard so far and I'm going to continue to. I hope I can accomplish that goal. It's a big dream for every athlete and I think that would be an amazing thing to happen."
Aiacoboae traveled to Brazil on Tuesday and has been practicing there throughout the week. From the time she spoke of the event on campus to even less than 24 hours away, she exudes confidence and a sense of calm for the world's biggest -- and tallest -- stage.
"I am feeling ready to go and will do my best tomorrow," she said from Brazil. "My dives look good and I am excited to compete.
"In order to compete at my best, I am trying to keep the pressure away, to not overthink my dives and to embrace the challenge."
In the few platform events Aiacoboae has competed in during her time at ASU, she has been nearly flawless.
In 2015, she finished fourth off the platform at the Pac-12 Championships, second at the NCAA Zone E Championships and fourth in the country at the NCAA Championships. She also finished 11th out of the best divers in the world at the 2015 USA Diving Winter National Championships.
At the 2015 University of Texas Diving Invitational in November, Aiacoboae took first out of 27 divers -- and by 52 points.
As for all those back home in Tempe watching and rooting you on, Aiacoboae has a quick message.
"I want to thank my teammates and my coach for the support they have given me," she said. "I know that they are cheering for me from Arizona and I can't wait to cheer for them next week at Pac-12's."
If Aiacoboae makes the women's platform finals, fans will have a chance to watch on the NBC Sports Network app -- download for free -- on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 4:30 p.m. MST.