Saint Mary's Diving

Philosophy

The diving team is a part of the swim team, however, we operate on a separate schedule to accommodate our particular needs.

It is understood that most members of the diving team will be beginners and that they are looking for a new experience. To that end, all athletes are encouraged to proceed and develop at their own pace. The safety of the athlete is always the first consideration when assessing his or her readiness to progress to new skills.

Divers will gain body awareness, flexibility and confidence as they discover what they can do and learn.

The ultimate performance goal for most divers is to develop a varsity list of dives by the senior year.

Expectations for varsity and JV

All divers are expected to attend practice every day. Varsity and JV practice and compete together in swimming and diving. Once a diver has learned at least 2 dives, he or she is eligible to compete in dual meets Since we do not have JV swimmers, all divers compete varsity in dual meets, and could be competing against divers with up to 6 dives.

At the league championships, a JV diver competes with other divers using a maximum of 6 dives. A varsity diver must do 11 dives in a championship meets- 2 from each category (forward, back, reverse, inward, twisting) and 1 more from any category.

Varsity divers can qualify for the North Coast section championship meet at the League meet or an 11 dive invitational. Automatic qualifying for NCS is 250 points for boys and 275 for girls. Consideration is 240 for boys and 265 for girls.

No one has ever been cut from the diving team. However, if we have more divers than can be safely transported in a van or in their own cars, divers who show up on time and who have consistent attendance will get preference. Only 3 divers can officially score in each dual meet and technically I have to name them in advance. Official scorers will rotate.