Boardworks divers to compete in home tank for junior nationals
Boardworks diver Eric Neil does a front flip left while Riley McCormick watches in front of teammates on the mats at Saanich Commonwealth Place.
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Updated: July 09, 2009 7:54 AM
In the 1980s, Tommy McLeod's main focus was on diving at the junior nationals. This weekend, the current Boardworks diving club's coach will be filled to the brim with coaching duties.
McLeod has 15 of 26 Boardworks members competing in their home tank as Saanich Commonwealth Place hosts the 2009 Speedo Junior National Diving Championships.
Thursday through Sunday, 183 divers under the age of 19 from across Canada will compete in the 1m and 3m springboards and the 10m platform.
A number of Boardworks' divers have a chance to win, and even set a record, McLeod said, particularly hometown hero Riley McCormick.
"If Riley has a solid (event) he should set it," said the coach, about the recent high school grad who has already represented Canada at the Olympics.
The Group A (ages 16-18) men's platform was scheduled for Thursday to accomdate McCormick, who is headed with the national team to train in for the World Diving Championships, July 17 to Aug. 2 in Rome.
Rachael Kemp, 16, set the national junior record on the 10m platform for the Group B (14- 15-year-old) category last year with a combined 384.5 points. This year, she's a favourite in the Group A category, and could place first or second in all three of her events. Same goes for Kemp's national junior team and Boardworks' teammates Shane Miszkiel and McCormick. Fraser McKean's focus is on a podium finish for the platform.
McLeod also says to watch out for Morgan Weller, a 3m springboard specialist who is just a good weekend away from first place in Group B.
At just 11-years-old, Aidan Faminoff is another one to watch. A member of the junior national diving team, he has the capability to win all three of the Group D (11 and under) events.
The list of boardworks members competing includes: Faminoff, McCormick, McKean, Miszkiel, Patrick Heaney, Eric Neil, Zack Nicol, Todd Monette, Isaiah Brasset, Kemp, Weller, Shaye Tudor, May Wang, Courtenay Hattie and Molly Schupbach.
For a complete schedule of diving times, visit www.boardworks.ca.
sports@vicnews.com
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