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!

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)

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.

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!  

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. 

Tanner – opened with 107B with strong takeoff and top, a little by for 6.5-7; 407C was another strong takeoff and top, a little chin duck on entry for 5.5-6; 207C – body position problem on takeoff (trying too hard to spin early, using torso for power instead of arms and legs) led to a short dive for 4.5s;  305C – strong jump but cautious reach and early kickout = scores we don’t want to discuss;  6243D – lack of confidence in trying to establish a controlled armstand meant he had a difficult time controlling his rotation and lines; 5253B – Tanner came back on this dive and hit it for 6.5s…nice to see him make a strong comeback.

Derrick – Opened with a solid 107B – high jump, nice pike, decent form and toes, for 6.5-7.  Followed up with a 407C that had great mechanics and a pretty(!) tuck, but an uncommitted comeout, so he washed over for 4.5s.  207C – great correction in his start, standing it up and fully extending on takeoff.  A slightly early, but strong comeout and lineup = 6.5s.  307C – jumped out too far on the start and left it short for 4.5s…but did a great job with his comeout once again;  626C – good initiation of rotation with his kip, but he did not bring his torso forward into the tuck, and he had a tough time coming out properly.  He pulled way over for 3.5s; 5154B – good form and lineup after a takeoff that was a little too far forward = 5.5s.  Derrick also competed one meter and did a really great job (especially on his 205C for 8s), qualifying into Nationals.

Cierra – opened with 5235D with a great jump, but an odd, chin-up/chest-sticking-out lineup, short for 5s;  Excellent start and good arm action to the lineup on 405B, but a bit loose in the midsection for 5.5s; She got caught too far forward with her upper body on the takeoff of her 107B, and thus left it short and piked for 4.5s;  6241D didn’t hold the armstand as long as we’d like, but then she lined up properly and disappeared for 6-7s;  205B was strong on top and had a decent comeout mechanic (meaning she didn’t pull hard with her chest on the out), but lack of press-away left the dive over for 4s.  She had a PB (in a national-qualifying meet) of 211+

Lydia – Opened with a solid, but a little slow, 405B for 6-6.5s;  she followed up with a 107B that needs more oomph on the takeoff, but that made it around to her head pain-free for 3.5s;  her 205B had a strong jump and a slightly opened pike position, and washed a little over for 5.5-6s;  305C had a strong jump and a pretty tuck, but she kicked a little early and left it archy short for mostly 5s;  She was a little quick up into her armstand, recovered well, and landed straight up and down on her 614B for 5.5-6s.

Kristin – MADE her 405C (whew!); had a pretty spin on her 205C but pulled her upper body way back on the takeoff and left it short for 3.5-4s.  Got a good standup and takeoff on 305C, but left it archy short for  3.5-4s;  Legs buckled on 5134D so it was a little slow and low for 5s;  Put it all together on 105B with a strong takeoff line and jump, a gorgeous pike, and a clean entry for 6-7s.

Colby – opened up tentatively on 1M with a high, slow 105B for 5s; followed up with a fantastic 107C takeoff and top, but he failed to come out of it and went over for 3.5s; 205C – great stand up and top, kicked to a good entryline but opened his chest and softened his legs as he stretched through for 4-4.5s; used too much upper body and not enough arms and legs on 305C and left it quite short for 3.5-4s;  did a solid 405C (from my perspective) that some judges didn’t like, and averaged 5.5s;  ended with a 5233D that was his best dive -- high, smooth, square, good form, for 6-6.5s!

On 3M, he did a great 107C top, but again ducked his head for the entry and missed it for 4-4.5s;  his backs and gainers both kicked out and lined up really well, but his incorrect body positions on takeoff left them both at the wrong angle to get good scores;  did a fantastic 405C start and, like his 107C, ducked his head on the entry and washed over, but got his stated goal of “over 40 points;”  got his 407C start and kicked out fully!  The entry is still rough, but he got mostly 4s;  Got a good top and finished straight up and down and cleanon his 5152B, but his still-to-develop sense of smoothness on the dive kept him at 5s – lots of good stuff that will help him move his competitive skills forward in this event

TJ – after opening with a really solid 105B for 6.5-7s, TJ had a tough 1M meet.  His insistence on a high dd list made the going tougher, even though he has done all the dives on the list easily during various workouts and recent competitions.  The other highlight of his 1M was a really great top on his 405C.

On 3M, TJ learned a lot about overcoming adversity and negative emotions, and ended up the top MDC finisher.  After opening up with his 105B for 6.5-7s, he got a fantastic hurdle and takeoff on his 5152B.  After a smooth rotation and a good twist, he ducked his head and went too far over for 4-4.5s;  he likewise got a great hurdle and takeoff on his 107B, and came out well;  left it a little short for 5.5s.  He got another great top on his 405C, but left it piked and didn’t sell his entry, earning 4.5s.  205B – solid form, decent spin, a little pulled over for 5s; 305B – another great hurdle, a little short on the reach so it was slow and straight up and down for 5s.

Bryce – on 1M, opened up with an ambitious 105B, which he made well, but couldn’t get out of with finesse, earning mostly 3s;  he followed up with a 203B for 5s; did a great 303B – high and smooth and stretched well on the entry for 5.5-6s;  did a really solid 403B for 6-6.5s that, once he starts jumping, will be 7-7.5s;  he performed his ever-improving 5233D solidly, losing his legs only slightly and garnering 5s;  he missed his last dive, his 5132D, taking home only 4.5-5s.

On 3M, Bryce opened with a great top on his 405C, but lined up with his chest sticking out a bit for 5s;  he made a great correction on the takeoff of his 205C, and finished it high but loose, for 4.5-5s;  He did a really nice 305C with a great kick and solid core throughout entry that needed a little more stretch through the water;  His 5235D is, like his 1M 5233D, ever-improving – great standup and lineup with only some loose legs marring it;  105B was awesome, but compared to the jumps of the beasts on the senior circuit, only earned 6-6.5s; a leg-buckle on his 5136D left him very short (but I loved his twisting action and how he worked it) for 3s.

Noah – was excited to dive in his first-ever Senior event, especially at the school he absolutely craves being a part of (U Tenn).  He did a bang-up job on 1M, opening with his 105B for 5-5.5s, following up with a 203B for even more 5.5s, and doing a gainer for 5s as well.  He then wowed the crowd with his 403B, which was high, smooth, and clean for 6.5-7s.  He got the top on his 405C as well, but didn’t quite finish it with polish, earning 3.5s.  He then performed his debut 5233D on 1M for 4s.

On 3M, he turned a really “back on the board” hurdle on his 105B into a decent dive, landing a little short for 4.5-5s;  his 107C was a little more overwhelming and he couldn’t find his way out of it :(  his 205C was high and smooth and had a great kickout and proper lineup action, going a little short for 4.5s;  he musta been a little confused on his next dive, because he turned his 305C into a 5351D (twisted quite a bit on the out), but the judges deemed it legal! His 405C was solid for 5s, and his 5233D (ever-improving) went a little around the corner for 4.5s.

Luke – on 1M, he was high and smooth, but a little slow on 105B for 5-5.5s;  got a good standup and top on his 203B, but a little pull on the out left him over for 5.5ss;  anxious upper body actions on his 303B left it very open in the pike and slow, so he ended up really short.  His 403B is getting better, but sometimes still backs off, and he did that in the meet so a pretty dive was left short for 4.5-5s;  His front twister was solid and square for 5-5.5, while his back twister muscled a little with his upper body on the takeoff and he went short for 4.5s.  I think this was the first time Luke has been in such an amazingly long meet, and he learned a lot just from that experience.

On 3M, he opened with a 107C that was a little anxious and ended up short for 3-3.5s; his 205C was strong and high and smooth, but pulled over for 4.5s; he pulled an amazing 305C out of a hurdle that was just not right – I don't know what magic he used there, but it was impressive he could make the dive on that takeoff!  405C was high and smooth, but a little backed off for 4.5s; his 5136D was square on the takeoff – a major correction! – and a little around the corner on the squareout;  for 4.5-5s.  His 5235D was similar to his 205C – a strong top, but over for 4s.  Lots of good stuff that he just needs to find the finishes on for Luke in his second senior event ever!

Mackenzie – performed in her first national senior qualifying event on the 1M.  She opened with her much loved (not) 303C that started too much with her chest and went pretty short;  Followed up with a nicely done 203B – good standup and tight pike, straight up and down for 5.5s;  her 105C got caught a little forward and ended up out and short for 4s;  her 5233D earned 4.5-5s (I am jealous of her ability to get that dive moving!); and she finished with her trusty 403B – high, strong, smooth entry, for 6-6.5s.

Tanner and Derrick moved on from the prelims to Nationals, and Cierra and Lydia are in the Nationals Synchro event.  Former MDCers Jordan Lesser and Kyle Aaron Jared Butts also made it to the meet in 1M and 1M & PL respectively, plus KAJ will join Derrick in Synchro 3M.

More news as it comes!

Go to https://recweb.montgomerycountymd.gov/Start/Start.asp to register. Better be quick!

NTP will meet ONLY at 3:30-6:30 pm M-W-F 12/14-12/21.  Those who come 5:30-8:30 are asked to come at 3:30 pm.

NTP Members who are willing to workout with the NDP T-Th from 6-8 pm 12/15-22 are asked to contact Coach Jeff about making that happen, so as to alleviate potential overload during 3:30-6:30 pm.

There will be no NDP/NTP MLK Workout on Saturday, 12/17.

Thank you for helping us serve you best while we have several coaches out of town.