2008 KRA DIVE TEAM 

Take the plunge…come dive with us! Join the Dive Team!

Kanawha’s Aquatics Teams are ramping up for a great season with new challenges, new faces, a new team mascot, and as always, loads of fun!  Last summer, we held a “name-the-team” contest. After careful balloting and a vote by the Board of Directors, we are pleased to introduce the KRA Firefish as our official team mascot. Kanawha is part of the James River Aquatic Club (JRAC), an association of nineteen area pools.  

This year the Dive Team will continue to be in the Blue Division. The only qualification for KRA diving is that a child must be able to jump from the board and “get” to the ladder unassisted. There is no age requirement except that beyond 18 years, a child may no longer participate in JRAC league competition. 

Dive Coaches

Dougie Phillips is returning for her 28th year as the coach and where she began her diving aspirations as a member of the team in 1972.  Dougie also coaches an age-group team during the winter at the Midlothian YMCA and on the high school level at both the Collegiate School and at Trinity Episcopal School.   

Terren Niethamer is a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania where she competes on their diving team.  She has made a remarkable comeback from a major back injury her senior year of high school to be placed on Penn's travel team.  Terren has been diving and then coaching for Kanawha for 7 years.  Last summer, Terren was awarded the Michael J. Stott Scholarship from JRAC and this will be her last summer as an athlete in the league. 

Gracie Andrews - Gracie is back for her 2nd year.  She is a rising senior at Steward School where she is a competitive cheerleader earning the Coaches Award and member of the Lacrosse team.  She has been competing for Kanawha for 8 years.  This is Gracie's last summer as an athlete in the league. 

Loren Phillips - Loren is back for his 2nd year.  He is a rising junior at St. Christopher's School where he excelled on the wrestling team placing first in the prep league and 2nd in the state.  Loren has been competing on the diving team for 11 years.   

James Ross - James joins our coaching staff this year to help with the younger divers.  He is a rising junior at the Collegiate School where he excelled in diving placing first in the prep league and 2nd in the state.  James was named Collegiate's Outstanding Diver for 2008.  James has been competing on the diving team for 8 years. 

If you have questions, contact: 

Head Coach

Dive Reps

Registration

This year, the Dive Team will do mail-in and on-site registration. Please note that there are separate registration forms this year for Swim and Dive.

The forms were mailed in the newsletter and can be found on the KRA website.  Last minute registration for the Dive Team will be available at practice from May 27 through May 30. 

Dive Team Practice Schedule

Dive age groupings are slightly different from the swim team. Age groups are determined by the child’s age on June 1 of the competition year:

Preseason Practices: Beginning Tuesday, May 29. 

Regular Season Practices: Beginning Monday, June 18 

NOTE: There will not be practice on Friday, June 13 (School’s Out Party) or Friday July 4. 

Dive Meet Schedule

(Dive meets begin at 1:00 pm, Seniors dive first)

Other Important Dates

New Team Suits - Suits will be available at Disco Sports after April 20, 2008. There is a new suit this year and it is a one- year suit offered by Speedo. If you have a slender diver, ask about the new Youth fit when you are at Disco Sports. It is not mandatory that you wear a KRA team suit during dive meets. 

Volunteers - The Dive Team needs volunteer help for both Socials and Scoring during Meets. Please be ready to help out a couple of times during the dive season. 

Private Diving Lessons - Again this summer, the head coach is available to teach private lessons upon request.  The standard cost for all private aquatic lessons is $25 - private or $30 - semi-private for a half hour session.  Please see Dougie at the pool or call her to schedule.   

Information - The Dive Team has an information board right next to the front gate. All information related to the Dive Team will be posted there throughout the season. Also there is information about the Dive Team in the KRA Aquatics booklet and the Kanawha Diving Details booklet. Ask a Dive Rep if you need one of these.