This option is available to ALL STUDENTS, not just athletes. Leah is a fifth year senior and on a 100% scholarship (I assume). Any student can decide to string their classes out and wait until their 10th semester to fulfill their very last requirement for graduation. However, it's usually too expensive for regular students to decide to do this and they just fit this in during a summer or another semester. As long as you need the credit towards your major (minor doesn't count) to graduate and you are a fifth yr senior, you're eligible to compete. Even if it's only 1 credit, you're eligible.
I'm not a big fan of all the God talk either but I just skim those parts. She's a tough, intelligent and well spoken competitor and I can ignore all the religion talk to appreciate this.