Moving to Cincinnati

[worldsbestdiver]

My dad is being transfered to Cincinnati, in January or February. What are the best high schools for diving in Northern Kentucky or Cincinnati?
Thanks W.B.D.

[DiveCoach]

There is Dive Cincinnati (www.divecincinnati.com), at NKU. They are mainly instructional; they have done both 1 and 3 meter. Their instruction has been geared toward competitive divers. They have had high school divers sign college scholarships. They don't compete in USA Diving meets, though. That doesn't mean you couldn't compete in USAD meets. You would just compete unattached and still have to get a coach to be with you on decks during meets.

There is Tri-State Diving (www.tristatediving.org, I believe). They are the local USAD competitive club. The practice at various places, the last I heard, UC, NKU, U of Miami, Mason Community Center, and a dryland facility. I don't know how they run or manage that.

Then, I believe Elite Diving from Columbus may have started a program up at U of Miami. You may be able to get a hold of their coach through Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy's diving coach.

There is an upstart, I believe called Thunderbird Diving. I have no idea I believe you may get a hold of them through the Mariemont High School diving coach.

As for which one is best, is all depends upon personal interests. My opinion, in general, Dive Cincinnati is the best overall program. However, if you are looking to definitely compete in USAD meets, Tri-State Diving is the program. However, US Elite does have some top divers, and Thunderbird Diving is an upstart.

[worldsbestdiver]

Hi Coach,
Thanks for the information about the clubs. Can you give me information about the highschool programs in the area? We are moving to Indian Hill. It looks like I will end up at Indian Hill High School, St. X or CHCA. Where do you coach?

[DiveCoach]

Hi Coach,
Thanks for the information about the clubs. Can you give me information about the highschool programs in the area? We are moving to Indian Hill. It looks like I will end up at Indian Hill High School, St. X or CHCA. Where do you coach?

I moved Atlanta last year. But, I still know a lot of diving people in the area. And, thus, I still keep up with many of them.

I am not sure about the high school programs in Florida. However, in Ohio, diving is an event in high school meets. Thus, you will want to listen for any announcements with "swim team" in them. I specify this because I consistently hear of excellent divers each summer not knowing their school had a diving team, when no school in Ohio has a specific diving team, since divers are members of the swim team. So, since they are listening for "Diving Team", they don't ever consider they could be diving for their high school.

All the schools you mentioned offer swimming, and thus diving. However, depending upon the school, many schools have admitted to me if they have any students do sports like diving, they require the student to find all training on their own. Thus, I have heard schools say, "If they want to dive, that is fine, and we will sponsor them in meets. However, they will have to find their own training. We well not spnd money renting pool time for training for just 1-2 divers."

How is it at the schools you mentioned? You will probably have to talk with the individual athletic directors. For, even if they have 3-5 divers right now, justifying expense to rent pool space, that could change in 1-2 years.

Where do you train now? I've been to Orlando before, attending meets, visiting relatives. Always good to hear from people with mutual experiences.

[xbomberd08]

All the schools you mentioned offer swimming, and thus diving. However, depending upon the school, many schools have admitted to me if they have any students do sports like diving, they require the student to find all training on their own. Thus, I have heard schools say, "If they want to dive, that is fine, and we will sponsor them in meets. However, they will have to find their own training. We well not spnd money renting pool time for training for just 1-2 divers."

How is it at the schools you mentioned? You will probably have to talk with the individual athletic directors. For, even if they have 3-5 divers right now, justifying expense to rent pool space, that could change in 1-2 years.

I can't speak too much for Indian Hill or CHCA, but I do know St. X does have and maintains a consistent dive team. There are two coaches for the dive team and there have been 5-10 divers on the team the past several years, this year there are 9. I'm not sure but I do believe Indian Hill has a team too as they have had a couple divers at the state meet the past couple years. If diving is anything like swimming, it's not the high school team that's most important when it comes to your training, it's the club team, so finding the right club team to train with is what's more important.

Although finding a good high school to dive for is important, what's more important is finding the best overall environment for yourself as you'll be doing a lot more in high school besides diving. You'll have academics, clubs, community service, etc. so be sure to look at the whole picture when making your decision. Good luck and I hope the move goes smoothly.

[DiveCoach]

I do remember some schools to offer practices. I believe St. X did, without the presence of a club program. I know Sycamore High School and Ursuline Academy did. That is where I stated you will need to probably speak with the high school AD and/or dive coach for the individual schools. I do remember Indian Hill and Mariemont High Schools and Middle Schools shared the same coach. I believe Indian Hill is getting smaller each year. This year, they have at most 2 high competitors, seniors I believe. Indian Hill will still probably have a swim team. As for diving, sharing with Mariemont helps Indian Hill afford the practicing. So, I wouldn't think having diving practices through school would be a problem with Indian Hill. I would think with CHCA, you would be required to train with a club during the season. Even though CHCA has a big layout, it is considered one of the smallest high schools in the state. Thus, they wouldn't have many divers, if any. Only recently have they had a couple of divers.

St. X has two coaches. Who? I know Lori. Is Ms. Hausladen still hanging around?

Good luck up there.

[DiveCoach]

With some divers, doing the high school meets/practices and the summer league meet/practices are plenty for them. They simply get about 2 months off before the high school practices start, then about 3 months off before the summer league practices start. Then, one can always supplement the downtime with club program work or taking some tramp/tumbling classes at one of the gymnastics centers.

[xbomberd08]

St. X has two coaches. Who? I know Lori. Is Ms. Hausladen still hanging around?

Yeah it's Lori and Mrs. Hausladen still.