IN THIS EDITION
Watch the U.S. divers live at the FINA World Series in Great Britain this weekend
Speedo USA Diving Spring National Championships are next week!
• Meeting schedules for 2009 Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals
• Important information regarding World University Games funding
• Men's 3-meter qualifying spots increased for spring nationals
• Synchronized competitions at spring nationals
World's best divers to take the stage at AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix
Great deal on memberships for summer camps and clinics
Check out USA Diving on Facebook and YouTube
Second annual Bill Lenzi Golf Tournament set for June
In the newsWatch the U.S. divers in action at the FINA World Series in Great Britain
Thomas Finchum and
Nick McCrory , who last week were recognized with third place in the USOC's Team of the Month award for March after winning silver on synchronized 10-meter at the FINA World Series in China, will take to the platform again this weekend. They'll join seven other USA divers in Sheffield, England, for the April 18-19 FINA World Series, which will be shown live on
UniversalSports.com. Also representing Team USA are:
Chris Colwill and
Jevon Tarantino (men's 3-meter synchro),
Kelci Bryant and
Ariel Rittenhouse (women's 3-meter synchro),
Mary Beth Dunnichay and
Michelle Cabassol (women's 10-meter synchro), and
Troy Dumais (men's 3-meter). The webcast of the competition will be on from 8:45 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. EDT on April 18 and 8:30-11:45 a.m EDT on April 19. Video of the China World Series event is also available on-demand on Universal Sports.
(Back to top)Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals are next week!
The Speedo USA Diving Spring National Championships are just around the corner. The qualifying meet is April 19-20 in Coral Springs, with semifinals and finals April 22-26 at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, located just one block from sunny Fort Lauderdale Beach. Purchase your tickets today by calling 954-868-4580. If you can't attend, be sure to check the
USA Diving website for results and updates throughout the week.
(Back to top)Meeting schedule for 2009 Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals
All meetings at the Spring Nationals will be held at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, located next to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex (just west of the diving well). Below is a listing of the meeting schedule for the 2009 Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals:
Tuesday, April 21
7 p.m. - Coaches Meeting
Meet director Dave Burgering will provide the coaches will all pertinent meet information as well as any updates on practice schedules, facility issues, competition format, special events and/or judging information.
7 p.m. - Athletes Meeting
USA Diving Athlete Representative Derek Starks will provide athletes with important information as well as seek their feedback on issues that affect the athletes within USA Diving. Also, special guest Dennis Taylor will present career information to help divers prepare for "life after diving."
Wednesday, April 22
7-9 p.m. - Coaches Social/Reception
USA Diving will host a reception for all coaches at the Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach - Room 1212. Drinks and light snacks will be available.
Friday, April 24
5 p.m. (Approx.) - Town Hall Meeting
USA Diving's High Performance Director Steve Foley will present his vision for the sport during the meeting, and USA Diving President and CEO Debbie Hesse will be present to answer questions. The Town Hall Meeting will begin a half hour after the end of the last event on Friday, April 24 (approximately 5 p.m.). Following the meeting, all attendees will be invited to attend a reception hosted by USA Diving at the Courtyard by Marriott (Suite 1212) located across the street from the aquatic complex.
USA Diving has been informed by the NCAA that universities are not allowed to fund athletes to the World University Games, but universities can fund athletes to the qualifying meet (the Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals). USA Diving will continue to move forward with the World University Games as a self-funded trip. USA Diving suggests coaches contact their compliance officers if they have any questions.
Men's 3-meter qualifying spots increased for the Speedo Spring Nationals
The number of qualifying spots in the men's 3-meter springboard event at the 2009 Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals Qualifying Meet has been increased from 8 to 18. This change is due to a less than expected number of entries on men's 3-meter by divers already pre-qualified for the nationals. The number of qualifying spots has been increased so that there will be a total of 24 divers in the men's 3-meter semifinals for the Speedo Spring Nationals. The number of qualifying spots for the other events remains as follows:
Women's 1M: 17
Women's 3M: 14
Women's PL: 16
Men's 1M: 18
Men's PL: 15
For more information on the Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals, please click here. The qualifying meet will be held April 19-20, and results will be available on the USA Diving website.
Synchronized competitions at Spring Nationals
Due to the clash of dates with the Mexico World Series event and our own Spring Nationals, the CCE has voted to accept the following: "Any divers who will miss the synchronized semifinal rounds of the Spring Nationals due to competing at the Mexico World Series while representing our country at the highest level shall be qualified to compete at the synchronized finals of the Spring Nationals."
This will not affect those divers competing in the semifinal rounds who qualify for the finals. The top 6 teams from the semifinals will compete in the final plus any teams or part teams (one diver) that were competing in Mexico. Looking at the schedule of Mexico and Spring Nationals, it is apparent that very few will be able to actually do both meets but we are trying hard to be proactive for the World Series and support our own Nationals.
Please don't hesitate to contact High Performance Director Steve Foley at Steve.Foley@usadiving.org if you have any questions.
World's best divers to take the stage at AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix
Approximately 50 Olympians -- including nearly 15 medalists from the Beijing Games -- are among the divers expected to compete at the May 7-9 AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale. Twenty countries will be participating in one of the top international competitions of the year, so you won't want to miss it. Call 954-868-4580 for tickets today!
Great deal on memberships for summer camps and clinics
Anyone planning to attend a camp or clinic operated by a USA Diving member club this summer can purchase a $12 Limited Athlete membership and receive the secondary sports accident insurance that is available only to USA Diving members. Other benefits available to Limited Athlete members include a membership card (Online) and access to the Members' Only webpage (includes directory, meeting minutes, National Training Center information and educational materials). Click here to sign up today. If you are already a current member, no additional membership is required to participate in any camps or clinics. Be sure to check out the camps and clinics section on USA Diving as well.
(Back to top)
Check out USA Diving on Facebook and YouTube
We are excited to announce that USA Diving is now on Facebook and YouTube. Check out our page on Facebook as there are lots of diving photos and event information that is continuously being updated. We also encourage you to post your own diving photos and videos and interact with other diving friends. Our YouTube channel currently features videos from the World Championships selection camp. Please join us on these sites and check back often for new updates.
Second annual Bill Lenzi Memorial Golf Tournament set for June
The second annual Bill Lenzi Memorial Golf Tournament, in memory of Olympic gold medalist Mark Lenzi's father, is scheduled for June 12 in Virginia. The cost is $90 per player, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Proceeds will benefit the "Families of the Wounded" fund. For more information on the tournament, call 540-371-4159.
In the news
Burke's busy schedule worth the winning results - The Rider News
Diving is the sport for anyone who longs to fly - San Francisco Chronicle
Zone all his own - Bakersfield Californian
Where are they now? Stephanie Ortiz - Colorado Springs Gazette
KU diver Mertz in her own class - Lawrence Journal World