Parent Meeting Tuesday, January 31, 7:30 pm

We will hold an initial Planning Meeting for East Nationals Tuesday January 31 at 7:30 pm at KSAC (formerly MAC). We ask that a parent from all NDP and NTP families attend this meeting. We encourage parents all divers in all groups to attend this meeting as well. This event will benefit the entire club, and we hope that everyone can come out and help us make it happen.

We ran a fantastic Zone meet last summer, and want to match or even outdo ourselves this time out, so please come to the meeting and help us in this mighty quest.

 Thanks!

Regional Meets Info

Hiya Folks,

We just sent out Regional Meet Recommendations, and here are links to the two Regional Meets so you can get more info:

Region 3:  https://webpoint.usadiving.org/files/Event_PDFs/554_Event_Info.pdf (this is complete meet info)

Region 1:  https://webpoint.usadiving.org/wp/Events/ViewMeet.asp?EventID=569&isPopUp=true (this is all that is available at the moment -- will update when more info is available)

Winter Nationals Recap -- Men's Platform

Tanner and Derrick represented MDC ably in a very tough field in this last Nationals before the Olympic Trials.

Derrick opened with a 107B, which was stong and finished high, but a little cut off and short for 6s, while Tanner had a strong smooth top and rip on his 107B for 7-7.5s.

Derrick then did his 407C with the best kickout he's done in a long while, but backed it off a little on the start and ended up short for 5-5.5s.  Tanner did an atypical 407C with his chin down on the start, so it never got moving...and went short for 3.5s.

Derrick's third dive, 207C, had a nice start, but he fell into old habits and kicked loose with a break in form, resulting in 3.5s.  Tanner did the same dive, and made all the corrections we've been working on, and nailed it for 6.5-7s.

Derrick decided to kick right on his 307C, which, even though short, garnered 5.5s (staying with the lineup works!).  Tanner did his 305C with a strong start and kick, but didn't press away enough before lining up, and went long for 5-5.5s.

For their fifth dives, the boys did armstands -- Derrick a 626C which was his highest scoring dive: beautiful armstand, strong start, solid out -- for 6-7s; and Tanner, a 6243D, on which he got the right armstand for the start (another great correction!), but did not control his somersault and went long for 4s.

The guys ended with twisters. Derrick stood up his 5154B and controlled it to a straight up and down entry that was a little heavy for 5.5s.  Tanner faded back a little on the start of his 5253B, did a nice twist and transition into his pike, but left it short for 5-5.5s.

When all was said and done, they were on just the wrong side of the bubble for making it into the semis -- Tanner finished 22nd with a "nationals PB" -- and did better in the nationals than he did in the qualifying meet, a good sign of growth.  Derrick learned the value of staying with kickouts and lineups, and did a good job coming back after a miss, things that should help him in his quest to make NCAAs during this, his senior season.

Winter Nationals Recap -- Women's Synchro Platform

The day started with some interesting news -- two teams scratched the event, leaving the remaining eight to qualify for the Olympic Trials as long as they completed a dive.  This news was, no doubt, a release of a certain kind of stress and pressure on the competitors who had yet to qualify for the Trials.

Lydia and Cierra used the morning list as a "warmup" and got their bearings -- they earned a "nationals" PB of 186 despite not really being "on" for any particular dive, then came alive in the evening with an all-time PB of 221.  It was great to see them improve 35 points on their second list :)

They opened the finals with a 301B -- Lydia was solid for 7s, Cierra started well and went a bit long for 5s -- that was pretty well-synched for 6.5s.  They followed up with the best 5231D I've ever seen either of them do -- Cierra for 8.5-9s and Lydia for 7-7.5s, and 7s for synchro.   Their voluntaries were quite successful.

Their first optional, 405B, was a very solid effort that showed what they are capable of, with both earning 6-6.5s individually and 7-7.5s for synchro.  Their next op, 107B, was well synched, but Lydia went way short for 2-3s while Cierra was a little archy over for 4.5-5s (I expected 5.5-6s) -- this was one of those dives that seemed hard to judge for the synchro because the dives ended so differently, as they earned from 3-6.  They ended with a 205B, which Lydia fully NAILED for 7.5-8s, while Cierra started well, but came out early and dropped in short for 3-4s, with Cierra's dive affecting the synchro judges' perspective, resulting in 4.5s for a dive that was well-synched until the entry.

The pair is now officially qualified for the Olympic Trials, but the Olympic Trials are not officially set for this event -- the US needs to earn one of the four remaining Women's Platform synchro spots at the upcoming World Cup Championships in February.  The experience has clearly energized both Lydia and Cierra, who are excited to get their dives down pat, and to learn new dives, so they are really ready to compete this summer!  

The 2011 Instead of Spinner Recap

Kali Becker – did very well competing “up” in 16-18 –  voluntary dives on both boards were generally 7+ (ahem..inwards).  1M outstanding 203B and 303B with smooth connections and lineup actions.  3M – nailed her 105B for 7s despite being a little forward, was a bit slow but had great position and kick/lineup on 205C, and got a “305C top” on her 303C :)  Enjoyed the company of the team chicken quite a bit after initially decrying its presence.

Natalie Cady- did really well on 1 meter standing up all her dives and all good scores except for her 403c which she cut off and scared the judges.  She had an awesome 201c that went a mile high off the board and put it in the water with a great line-up for 6.5s.  3 meter was a good performance with yet again another great 201c scoring 6s  on a somewhat off jump, also debuting her 5231d off the 3m and showing great potential for her back twisters. 

Crazy Joey Canova - competed in both the Junior Olympic 1m and 3m J.O. Contests, he did an outstanding job on three meter only missing a reverse dive that went over (4.5, 5.0, 5.0). His 201c back dive tuck went for straight 7.5’s with the famous Joey rip on the end.

Jack Crow –  good mechanics on 201B both boards; nice top and form on 203B 3M; solid inwards throughout the meet -- about ready to do 405C again; fantastic 105C 1M – high, smooth spin, and solid kickout; promising work on 5233D which is mechanically pretty good but needs some form work; earned PBs on both boards, more than 30 points better than his best previous scores!!  Unfortunately, he tortured the team chicken during 3M warm-ups.

Gregory Culver – competed in both the 11 & Under  JO 1M and 3M. Greg did a very nice job displaying his fundamental skills. His back dive tuck (201C) on 3M went for 6s and 7s. Greg also displayed fine fundamental skills and shows that he is ready to start learning some additional dives.

Jake Daigle –Jake had a solid 1 meter performance, really putting his 403c into the water with a great standup and entry, too bad we couldn’t say the same for his 405c on 3 meter where he lost his arms (!?) and put it in short.  203c on the 1 meter ended up looking really good with an awesome stretch on the start and nice spin, earning 5.5-6s.  Jake really showed some power at the meet this weekend.

Chloe Kim – Chloe did a fine job on 1 and 3-Meter receiving mostly 5s and 6s on everything.  Turning in a very consistent performance, she is now ready to move on and learn more difficult dives now that she has solid fundamentals.

Caroline McCleary- had a great 403c on the one meter; she really saved the good one for the meet and got 6.5s on her 401b where she showed great control and nice lines.  She had a great 3 meter performance only missing her 403c which was ok since she is brand new on 3M and she did the 403C so well on the 1 meter. 

Adam Meiners – is doing better with his form on everything, and once he relaxes his shoulders enough on his arm circling actions, those 201Bs and 301Bs are going to get the proper vertical entries and be fantastic; showed improving mechanics and control on back and reverse spinners, but that head position!  AAARGH!  Solid front voluntaries both boards for 5.5-6s; fantastic tops on 403B and 105B 3M for 6s; competed 405C 3M solidly after having a rough go of it in warm-ups.

Shane Miller – lots of good stuff in the air – spins looking smooth, tight legs and toes throughout his dives.  On the ones he really attacked (405C 3M, as opposed to 105B 3M, which he babied), the judges rewarded him.  Good work on 5132D 3M, which was strong and high and got down for 5+ and 203C 1M, which was mechanically sound but looked a little tentative.

Melissa Novak -- Melissa decided to add difficulty to her list by having her knees buckle on her on her front dive and doing it from a standing position without a hurdle. This then gave her the opportunity to show us what kind of a competitor she is, and she did so with flying colors. She came back with straight 6s on an inward dive and won the Girls’ 12-13 Novice 3M contest by 10 points.  This is Melissa's first diving contest and did a splendid job.  Melissa’s second event was the Girls 12-13 Intermediate 1M contest, in which she did excellent back (201c) and inward (401c) dives or 6s and 7s and finished second in the contest, finishing 10 points behind the winner. Melissa is off to smashing success in her diving career.

Maddy Pfaff- had a solid showing, no hiccups on any dives.  301c came out of nowhere on the 1M with a great jump and a nice show of position and then a knockout kick-out and line-up.  401b on the 1 meter was another well-performed dive with great control and entry, though her 104c came off the board a little forward and rushed, leaving her kick-out  unfinished which is abnormal for Maddy.  3 meter was a little babied which seems to be a common thing among our 13 and under divers, must have been the boards (they all hate the “individual stands” 3M boards!). 

Amy Roach- had a great performance on 1M, she stepped it up and ended up changing her 202c to a 203c and doing a great job with it, also performing a wonderful 402c, kicking out above the board and stood it up like she had been doing this dive forever (maybe it’s time for 403c?).  On 3M, she showed great control on her front entries but need to get those feet together on backs and reverses.

Haley Rupp- really shined on 3M.  She performed her 301c very smooth, with an approach which had been added only days ago!  Haley also had a great 201c on 3 meter with a nice jump and put it in for 6s helping her get second place in 12-13 girls 3 meter intermediate.  One meter was a little shaky though, but Haley had a great 101c with a great line on the entry. 

Connor Scanlon – nursing a very sore back (and a fatigued competitive spirit – he was just in Indy last week!), Connor did some great stuff – debuted 303B 1M – and was so strong he went over!  Rode the board nicely on both 5132D and 105C; did an awesome 203B for 6+ (what a standup!)  On 3M, he dropped down to some easier dives to save his back, and ended up focusing a lot on lineups, leading to cleaner entries on his 403B and 105B than we’ve seen in a long while.

Dorothy Shapiro- Dorothy had a great showing with an awesome 301c on 1M…now if she can only get fully locked out on the entry and it will be wonderful.  On 3M she placed first, showing great control on all her dives and again doing a well-performed 301c.  

Ian Bryce Shelton –winning the 3M event was Ian Bryce Shelton with a total of 315.25 points. Bryce had a very nice day on 3 Meter scoring straight 7s and 8s on his voluntary dives and scoring straight 6s and 7s on his optional dives.  The next closest diver with Bradley Butcher from the Soaring Eagles Dive Club with a score of 293.90 points, 21.35 points behind Bryce. We are still hopeful that Bryce will point his feet one day.

Ellie Smith – In a gutsy move, Ellie opened the 10-11 Girls’ Intermediate 1M contest with a reverse dive (most people start with a front or an inward).  She saved the more common front dive for her third voluntary, and nailed it for sixes.  Two solid optionals later (103C and 202A for 4.5-5s), she secured a bronze medal.  She competed 10-11 Novice 3M, and opened with a 001B for 6s.  She earned 5+ on two of her three other dives and took home the silver.  It was nice start to her club diving career!

Natalie Snyder – wow!  This girl was on FIRE on 3M – at least one 6 on every dive, 7s on 103B,a HUGE PB of 337+ for 9 dives, and a major announcement that she is now a force to be reckoned with on the Regional level.  On 1M, she ran out of steam a little after vols (again, at least one 6 on every one of them), but still made some great corrections – her standups and takeoffs on 105C and 303C were amazing, and she still kept 5.5s despite washing over on both.

Jeff Stabile – showed why he is “TwisterJ” with 8 twisting dives each board (the Masters rules allowed for this unique happening):  highlights were his crowd-pleasing inward twisters (5412A 1M for 7.5-8s, 5243D 3M for 6-6.5s) and some mechanically well-done traditional front twisters (5132D, 5134D 3M) for 7.5-8s as well.

Regan Westwood – walked into warm-up with an injured shoulder but still performed!  She held back a little this weekend possibly from her injury but pushed through a great 3M performance (other than her back flip which was put in last minute).  Her 103b went in the water with great toes and nice line for 6.5-7…not the same luck on 1M though with 103b though she cut her hips back and touched her feet on the board.  Then, keeping her cool, she was able to pull out a great 301c nice control and good stretch off the board. 

Katie Young – Performed her dreaded 203b 3M which was shaky in the warm-up but showed some real possibility for a great one in the meet; her top was awesome, then she pulled out and left it a hair short.  103b was another good dive done on the 3M getting a good stand-up.  On the 1 meter she performed a great 104c, standing it right up in the water with a powerful kick-out, and she held a nice flat jump on her 201c which we have been bugging her about for the past week.