MORGANTOWN — The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park will host the USA Diving Junior Region 5 Championships from Friday-Sunday.
Competition will span all 3 days and is open to spectators in the large, 1,500-seat-capacity viewing deck at the Aquatic Center.
Spectator seating is $5 per person per day, or $8 per person with an Aquatic Center Swim Day Pass. Diving events start at 9 a.m. daily.
“Diving is an exciting Olympic sport,” WVU diving coach Karla Helder said. “This championship gives our area an in-person experience, watching the best of our youth from all over the U.S. compete.”
Both boys and girls will compete in all events within 4 age groups: 11 and under; 12-13; 14-15; and 16-19. The top 16 in each event move on to zone championships and then to Junior Nationals or Junior Sub-Nationals, depending on placement.
“Each individual has their own stamp on a dive,” Helder said. “One could execute a mechanic perfectly but it looks robotic, while another can tweak a maneuver and it presents beautifully. Diving is judged on degree of difficulty and technique, as well as entry into the water. For me, grace makes all the difference.”
USA Diving is the national governing body for the Olympic sport of diving in the United States. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the organization offers programs for all ages and abilities, including learn-to-dive, junior (age group), elite and masters (21 and over). More information about USA Diving can be found at usadiving.org.
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