When you begin diving lessons at age 5, alongside Olympic medalists from the start, you dream big.
Many Olympians trained in Berlin, Germany, where Lena Hentschel started diving and grew up. They inspired her to find a place on the podium, too. At 20, she competed in the Tokyo Olympics, earning a bronze medal.
“After our last dive of the competition, I saw our names on the scoreboard, and I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “That experience fueled me with more passion and motivation. I wanted another Olympic Games and to keep growing both in the sport and outside of it.”
Ohio State’s academic reputation and her current coach, Justin Sochor, encouraged Lena to make the journey to Columbus. “I received an offer from Ohio State along with a full-ride scholarship,” she shares.
The scholarship shifted Lena’s career path toward international relations. Because of generous donors, Lena has been able earn her bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences in four years while remaining dedicated to diving. She graduated in May.
"Scholarship donors made it possible for me to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, leave my home country, and become a full-time student and athlete at one of the best universities in the United States.”
Accomplished academically and athletically, Lena is a College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America First Team Scholar All-American, Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. She is a two-time Big Ten champion on the 1-meter springboard and a medalist at multiple Big Ten championship events.
Before each dive, Lena calms her nerves by trusting her coach and the training, preparation and process.
“I don't think about winning or making the best possible dive; I concentrate on one dive at a time and focus on small details. Those few seconds in the air can determine a lot — my entire career, whether I win a medal and much more,” she admits.
Lena’s next steps show what scholarship donors can make possible. She is trying out for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In addition to joining the German army, she plans to pursue a master’s degree at the United Nations Research Institute for International Relations, Peacebuilding and Development Studies.
But Columbus will still be her second home.
“Being able to call myself a Buckeye for the rest of my life means a lot, bringing with it many memories, traditions and lessons,” Lena says. “And I will always be just one jump over the Atlantic Ocean away.”
Profile written by Shanna Finley and published by the Office of Advancement on May 11, 2026.