The journey to PennWest Clarion was a long one for Luna Castellanos, both in distance and in time. As an international student, she knew that athletics would be her pathway to an American education. Her connection to PennWest Clarion came through a teammate at a Texas club, who had previously dived with Luna's current coach, Heath Calhoun. That small connection sparked a recruitment process that would change her life. After visiting the campus, Luna "already knew I really wanted to come here."

The feeling of being a PennWest student-athlete is profoundly meaningful to her. "If I wasn't a student athlete, I probably wouldn't be getting my degree here in the States," she explains. "It's just like it's opened the doors for me and I love this campus and I love to represent it with everything I have."

Luna's dedication to her sport is evident in her recent, historic accomplishments. She was named Division II Women's Diver of the Year after a national title sweep, winning both the one-meter and three-meter dive championships in Indianapolis. Her score of 542.55 in the three-meter dive didn't just win; it shattered both the school and national meet records.

Despite her success, Luna is candid about the mental challenges of her sport. She still gets scared before some dives, but she relies on a strong support system, including her coaches and a sports psychologist. Her mental preparation for a dive is simple but powerful: "I just try to take a deep breath, remind myself that I've done this before and I'm capable of doing it again."

She is a firm believer in the importance of time management, noting that it was initially difficult but that her coaches are very supportive, always reminding her that academics come first. Her advice to new students is to "get yourself out there" and to utilize all the resources available on campus. She encourages students to surround themselves with people who have the same goals and mentality because "at the end of the day, those people are gonna become your family here."

Luna Castellanos's story exemplifies PennWest’s commitment to providing a supportive community that allows students to thrive. Her journey from international student to national champion showcases how PennWest helps students achieve their ambitions, fostering an environment where talent, dedication, and resiliency can lead to incredible success.