Diving is a new addition to spring sports this year. The program is tied to the swim team, meaning that students must be members of the swim team in order to participate in diving.

The divers will train and compete off of the one-meter springboard. In swim meets divers are required to perform dives from all five categories: forward, back, reverse, inward and twisting.

“It is one of the events where you can compete in swimming and it is an earned event,” water polo and swim Coach Baughman specified. Only divers who can master dives from all five categories will be eligible to compete. 

Coach Baughman is excited to share her love for the sport with the new divers.  “I will be coaching diving, and water polo and swim Coach Steven will help me on occasion, since we’ve both competed in college,” Baughman stated. 

Students are not expected to join only for competition purposes. Those interested can also participate to gain new experiences and learn a new sport without aiming to compete. 

Swim tryouts and conditioning took place during the first week of February at Pacheco High School. Tryouts were for swimming only since anyone who makes the swim team can join diving.

Diving practices will begin shortly after conditioning for swimming is completed. Diving practices are expected to be held one to two times a week. 

Because the program is new, no prior diving experience is required. “The only requirement is knowing how to swim,” Baughman added. All students with any level of interest are encouraged to try out.

The team’s first meet will take place February 28 at Johansen High School February at 7.15 am.