The dive team has gained a lot of popularity leading to an influx of new members. This upcoming season they have gone from five members to twelve, bringing new hope to the program and everyone involved.
Last year, the team ended the season with girls’ placing fifth at state and boys placing 14th. Returning sophomore diver Julianna Richman hopes a deeper roster of people with diving experience helps the team go even further this upcoming season.
“We did lots of recruiting at the end of last year, over the summer, and now we are up to approximately twelve people,” Richman said. “Some are former gymnasts there are many others who are interested and love jumping off the diving board. I know at least two people who did Atlanta Diving Association over the summer to help them prepare for this year’s school season.”
Atlanta Diving Association (ADA) is a competitive diving organization that has practice locations at Georgia Tech, Marist High School and Cumming Aquatic Center. It is a place designed to train kids and teens of all levels.
“I did a few practices over the summer to help get back into the flow of things,” Richman said. “ADA helped me with technique and is a really good place for people to practice at during preseason.”
Sophomore gymnast Eliana Hawkins participated in a few dive lessons over the summer and became interested in joining the team.
“I signed up for a few lessons at Georgia Tech and learned so much over a short course of time,” Hawkins said. “I heard about the dive team through friends and decided that it would be a fun sport to do during the fall.”
Hawkins said the bright dive community and helpful coaches also convinced her to join the team.
“I heard that all of the dive coaches are really nice, and I’m so excited to hopefully be on the team this upcoming season,” Hawkins said.
Junior Parker Koher feels that many new people are joining because of Coach Zeke Alejandro, who has years of professional diving experience.
“I was interested in joining last year because of a new coach coming who was a diver in college,” Koher said. “I’m guessing the main reason more people joined was because of Zeke [Alejandro] coming, bringing his skills and experience.”
Alejandro brings over 30 years of experience in one-meter, three-meter and ten-meter platform diving at the high school, collegiate, and international levels. He is also an NCAA Division II three-meter springboard National Champion.
“I internationally competed in springboard and platform diving and hold a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Lower Elementary Montessori Degree (ages six to nine),” Alejandro said. “I also hold a doctorate in educational curriculum and instruction.”
Alejandro is looking forward to working with the Midtown Dive program again this season and helping them improve their skills to reach their personal bests.
“The dive team is filled with all sorts of talent and I’m thrilled to be able to improve their skills furthermore,” Alejandro said. “The team morale is incredible and everyone supports each other through challenges.”
Richman believes that Alejandro has made a huge difference in the team, and his new energy boosts their morale.
“Zeke’s [Alejandro] an amazing and supportive coach, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one,” Richman said. “He taught me so much about diving, and so many skills that I never knew about before.”
This year, swim and dive sponsor Emily Dohogne will serve as head coach for both teams, supporting the divers alongside Alejandro.
“I had prior experience in professional diving when I was in college,” Dohogne said. “I’ve always had a passion for dive, and I even encouraged my daughter to start competing at Maynard.”
Dohogne is excited about the rise of the program and can’t wait to see where this upcoming season with new interest takes the team.
“The team has such a bubbly atmosphere and I’m glad there’s more people joining,” Dohogne said. “I’ve been trying to recruit more people and I’m glad it’s been a success.”
Richman also believes the welcoming atmosphere has also contributed to the growth of the team.
“Our team gets along very well and our coaches always say we are like a family,” Richman said. “It is one of the most fun teams I’ve ever been on, and everyone supports each other.”
In the past, Midtown’s dive program had a lack of members, leading to many challenges. All of this new interest marks a turning point for the program.
“I’m so glad that a lot of people are joining this year, and more people on the team means more points in the championships,” Richman said. “I’m so excited for this upcoming season and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish.”
