Archive for May, 2011
New Lessons and JO1 Coach: Aleia Monden
02 years ago
by ycfdiving
in Recent News
Aleia grew up in Mililani, Hawaii and at a young age took up the sport of diving. After taking up multiple sports such as soccer, gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, and swimming, she realized how great of a sport diving really is. In high school, she was a four-time Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Champion, the current record holder, and three-time NISCA All-American.
After High School, Aleia attended Florida State University, where she was named MVP for three years, captain for two, made the All-ACC Academic Honor Roll all four years, broke the 5-dive platform record, and was awarded the prestigious Golden Nole Award her senior year. In 2008, she also was an NCAA All-American Honorable Mention on the platform. On the USA diving scene, Aleia proved that the platform was her calling, as she placed 3rd in the synchronized diving event in 2008, as well as finaled at Nationals individually on several occasions.
Shortly after completing her B.S. with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology and Chemistry, Aleia was asked to become a performer on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Oasis of the Seas for four months. Aleia is very excited to join the YCF diving `ohana (family) and can’t wait to meet all of her lessons and JO1 crew!
May New Members
02 years ago
by mark
in New Members
Welcome to the newest members of the YCF Diving team. We are happy to have you and your family as a part of our growing organization!
Lessons:
Ashley Franco
Chandler Hogan
JO1:
Mia Pencak
April Diver of the Month: Lauren Gallarelli
02 years ago
by mark
in Diver of the Month
Lauren is a member of our JO3 competitive group. Lauren recently returned to training from surgury on her left knee. Since returning, Lauren has shown everyone her amazing strength and athletic ability by jumping right back in the pool full force. Within weeks of returning, she re-learned her full 1 meter list and is well on her way to re-learning her 3 meter list. Congratulations Lauren! Keep up the hard work!
Plantation Invite – Plantation, Fl.
0
Girls Group D with Coach's Courtney and Shannon
On April 30th and May 1st, Coach Courtney and Coach Shannon took the Lessons, JO1, and JO2 teams to the Plantation Invite in Plantation, Fl.
Unfortunately, Friday’s practice was rained out but the team still gathered in the hotel lobby for pizza and fun to celebrate Rebecca Koch’s 11th birthday. The divers played cards and bonded with other team members. Competition on Saturday started bright and early and the team had many outstanding finishes from the Novice and Intermediate events. We had come outstanding finishes with 10 1st place finishes for the day! For many of the divers this was their first diving meet and the coaches were extrememly happy with how everyone conducted themselves!
Sunday began the Junior Olympic events, which also produced some stand out performances! Victoria Chan took 1st in her 3 meter competition. As a team, the men’s team won the meet with an overall score of 189.00, the women’s team placed second with a score of 370.00, and the team as a whole came in second place with a score of 559.00, narrowly missing first place by 16 points. Congratulations to all the divers who made the trip down to Plantation!
East Nationals – Knoxville, Tn.
0The YCF Diving National Team traveled to the University of Tennessee last month to compete in the 2011 Spring East National Championships. The team was represented beautifully by 15 members at the regional championships in Coral Springs, weeks prior, to earn qualification for the national competition.
Although a complete change in coaching staff late last year had most expecting this year to by one of rebuilding for the new team, thirteen members of the team qualified for the national team; Grace Cable, Cinzia Calabretta, Jack Dowd, Joseph Dowd, Riley Herr, Abigail Howell, Grayson Kim, Rileigh Knox, Emma Kraeger, Mya Kraeger, Wallace Layland, Kiara Loeser and Maggie Merriman. They came together as a powerful force securing an overall second place finish at the event.
Guided by head coach Mark Ruiz, a two time Olympian in the sport himself, the team took to the Volunteer dive well looking prepared and confident. Some stand outs that deserve individual mention are Wallace Layland, Mya Kraeger, Grayson Kim, and Grace Cable.
Wallace competed in the 14-15 girls’ events on both 1 meter and 3 meter springboards. She brought home the silver medal on 3 meter and the bronze medal on 1 meter. Mya Kraeger dives in the 12-13 girls division. She secured a 3rd place finish on 3 meter while in the 11 and under girls category, Grayson Kim brought home a silver medal for her 1 meter performance and Grace Cable has a new bronze medal for her efforts on 3 meter. All four of these athletes secured a coveted “top 3″ finish which earns them the pre-qualification honor for Junior Nationals this summer.
Congratulations to our hometown divers and we look forward to more great news as the summer diving season heats up!
YMCA Nationals – Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
0
YMCA National Champions From left to right: Wally, Joey, and Mia
After a successful showing at the East National Championships, the YCF diving team traveled down to Fort Lauderdalere, FL to compete in their first ever YMCA National Champioships. The team consisted of 9 divers hand selected by coach Mark Ruiz which included Shannon Potter (16-18), Sarah Frangoul (16-18), Wallace Layland (14-15), Abigail Howell (14-15), Joey Dowd (14-15), Riley Herr (12-13), Emma Kraeger (12-13), Mya Kraeger (12-13), and Jack Dowd (12-13).
As it was their first time competing in YMCA Nationals, the team was uncertain about what to expect; however as the competition begin YCF dive team took the meet by storm. YCF competed strongly with several solid performaces. In fact each member of the team qualified a spot in the final event, making them the only team to accomplish this feat. The team was led by USA Junior National team member Wallace Layland who won gold in the 1m, 3m, and platform events. Wallace was the only diver to sweep all three events. Mya Kraeger captured both the 1m and platform competitions narrowly beating out her twin sister, Emma Kraeger. Joey Dowd also earned his first YMCA National Title in the men’s platform event. These outstanding performances coupled with a strong showing from the entire team resulted in a women’s YMCA national team title and a second overall team finish.
Mandatory Event for All YCF Diving Team Members
02 years ago
by mark
in Uncategorized
Every year I-Drive and Visit Orlando host a 5K Run that directly benefits the YMCA Aquatics Center. This year the committee has raised over $14,000 for our organization. As a Thank You, YCF Diving will be involved in making this run special for all the runners and organizations who have given their time for our cause. This year the team will be maning a water station, providing entertainment by playing our favorite music, and encouraging the runners at the back end of the course.
We expect to see all divers there to support this great event. Our water station will be set up on Universal Blvd. and TradeShow Blvd. There is parking along the side of the road on Tradeshow Blvd. Here is a layout of the race path. We will be working the 2nd water station of the run, indicated by the number “2″ on Universal Blvd. Divers must be at the water station by 7:15am. The race will start promptly at 7:30 and runners will be passing by around 7:40am. The race will only last for 1 hour and divers are free to leave once the water station has been cleaned up. Parents are encouraged to come and participate as well.
If any parents are interested in participating in the Race and Representing a YCF Diving Team, please let me know! You can register for the Race at 9th Annual I-Drive 5K Race.
