Monday, March 31, 2008

PANZANO, LAAK NAMED NCAA DIVING COACHES OF THE YEAR

VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) and DAN LAAK (University of Georgia) were named NCAA Diving Coaches of the Year for 2008. Panzano was named Women's Diving Coach of the Year and Laak was named Men's Diving Coach of the Year.

Panzano had a spectacular Women's Championships that was highlighted by a 1-2 finish in the 3-meter contest. Laak was honored for the accomplishments of his diver Chris Colwill who finished 1st, 2nd and 2nd in the three diving events contested.

The award is determined by a vote of all diving coaches at the NCAA Championships.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Freshman Sean Moore Wins NCAA Platform Title

Freshman Sean Moore from Ohio State came from behind to defeat Chris Colwill of Georgia to grab his first NCAA title on platform at the NCAA Championships in Seattle, Wash. Sean is the son of former Ohio State diver Tim Moore, who won five NCAA titles and was fifth at the 1976 Olympic Games on platform. Moore, a freshman, received 9's, 9 1/2's and one 10 on his final dive to win the title by 18 points.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

TOP DIVING COACHES IN NCAA!

Congratulations to the following COACHES for their success at the Men's NCAA Division I Diving Championships. Randy ABLEMAN – Miami (Reuben Ross – 6th 1-meter, 1st 3-meter, 4th Platform, JJ Kinzbach - 8th Platform); Mark BRADSHAW - Arizona State (Mickey Benedetti – 7th 1-meter); Mike BROWN – Hawaii (Magnus Frick - 2nd 1-meter, 6th 3-meter); Pat GREENWELL - Alabama (Aaron Fleshner - 3rd 3-meter); Jeff HUBER – Indiana (Landon Marzullo – 4th 1-meter; Taylor Roberts - 4th 3-meter); Patrick JEFFREY - Florida State (Terry Horner – 3rd 1-meter); Julian KRUG – Pittsburgh (Alex Volovetski – 8th 1-meter); Dan LAAK – Georgia (Chris Colwill - 1st 1-meter, 2nd 3-meter, 2nd Platform); Mike LYDEN – Kentucky (Stephen Andrews – 5th 1-meter); Vince PANZANO - Ohio State (Sean Moore - 1st Platform, Weston Wieser - 7th Platform); Matt SCOGGIN - Texas (Jonathan Wilcox - 7th 3-meter, Matthew Cooper - 6th Platform); Jeff SHAFFER - Auburn (Kelly Marx -5th 3-meter, Daniel Mazzafero - 8th 3-meter, 5th Platform); Adam SOLDATI - Purdue (David Colturi - 3rd Platform). The top eight finishers at the NCAA Championships earn All-American honors.

Dan LAAK of Georgia was named the 2008 NCAA Men's Diving Coach of the Year, and his diver Chris Colwill was named 2008 NCAA Men's Diver of the Year.

Springboards and More congratulates the DIVING COACHES for all their hard work, dedication and long hours at the pool that went into these performances.

Ross Wins Three-meter, Colwill Second

Reuben Ross of Miami upset Chris Colwill of Georgia to win the NCAA Men's Three-meter Diving Title. Ross held a slight lead after the fourth dive and then put the pressure on Colwill with an inward 3 1/2 that received five 9's. Colwill responded, but fell short on his final dive by six points. It was the first NCAA title for Ross who is a sophomore from Saskatchewan, Canada.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Colwill Wins One-meter!

Congratulations to Chris Colwill of Georgia and coach Dan Laak for his victory on one-meter at the NCAA championships in Seattle. Colwill needed a strong final dive to hold off Magnus Frick of Hawaii. He received 8's on a reverse 2 1/2 pike (that's right, a 305b on one-meter), scored 76.80 points and won the contest by 7.55 points. Three-meter prelims begin today at 2:00 p.m. PST. You can watch the contest via the internet at NCAA.com.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Top NCAA Diving Coaches

Congratulations to the following COACHES for the performance of their diver(s) in the Finals at the Women's NCAA Division I Diving Championships taking place at The Ohio State University:

Women's Platform Diving -- Saturday March 22, 2008
  1. RANDY ABLEMAN (University of Miami, FL) -- Coach of the Winner Brittany Viola
  2. RICK SCHAVONE (Stanford University) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Margaret Hostage
  3. ADAM SOLDATI (Purdue University) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Kara Cook
  4. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Kristen Asman
  5. RICK SCHAVONE (Stanford University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Shana Karp
  6. JANE FIGUREIDO (University of Houston) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Lacey Truelove
  7. JIM STILLSON (Southern Methodist University -- Coach of 7th place finisher Audra Egenolf
  8. DONNIE CRAINE (University of Florida) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Monica Dodson

Women's 3-Meter Diving -- Friday March 21, 2008

  1. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of the Winner Chelsea Davis
  2. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Bianca Alvarez
  3. MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Kathryn Kelly
  4. DAN LAAK (University of Georgia) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Hannah Moore
  5. JEFF HUBER (Indiana University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Brittany Feldman
  6. MIKE BROWN (University of Hawaii) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Emma Friesen
  7. JOHN AMES (Georgia Tech) -- Coach of 7th place finisher Hannah Krimm
  8. TODD SHERRITT (University of South Carolina) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Taryn Zack
Women's 1-Meter Diving--Thursday March 20, 2008

  1. MIKE BROWN (University of Hawaii) -- Coach of the Winner Emma Friesen
  2. MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Mary Yarrison
  3. JEFF HUBER (Indiana University) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Brittany Feldman
  4. MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Kathryn Kelly
  5. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Bianca Alverez
  6. MIKE LYDEN (University of Kentucky) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Kari Retrum
  7. RANDY ABLEMAN (Miami University) -- Coach of 7th place finisher Brittany Viola
  8. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Chelsea Davis

The Top EIGHT finishers at the NCAA Championships earn First Team All-American Honors.

Springboards and More congratulates the DIVING COACHES for all their hard work, dedication and long hours at the pool that went into these performances.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

MIKE LYDEN Named 2008 WHOSAM Award Winner


University of Kentucky Diving Coach MIKE LYDEN has been named the recipient of the 2008 WHOSAM Award given annually by Double Olympic Diving Gold Medallist Dr. Sammy Lee. The award is presented to one diving coach each year "For commitment to excellence and dedication to the highest physical, mental and spiritual ideals." Mike was named NCAA Diving Coach of the Year in 1996 and has produced nearly 50 NCAA All-Americans. He has earned SEC Diving Coach of Year NINE times and produced 13 SEC Champions. In addition, Mike is regarded by many as one of the top Junior Olympic Diving Coaches in the country having produced numerous JO National Champions.

"Iron Mike" is currently battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer but felt well enough to go out and get a steak at his favorite steakhouse -- Malone's in Lexington, KY. Former WHOSAM Award winners Joe Chirico and Steve Voellmecke along with legendary diving coach Stan Randall made the trip to Lexington, KY to present the WHOSAM Award to Mike and his Family. Mike was also honored at Malone's Steakhouse that evening by being added to their UK Athletic Wall of Fame.


Mike, his wife Emily and their three children Jessica, Jack and Brittany are very grateful for the outpouring of support and offers for help they have been receiving from the diving community. They ask for your continued thoughts and prayers as they continue this battle.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

University of Tennessee's Incredible New Pool (Diving Well)


Here is a photo of the incredible University of Tennessee Aquatic Center. The facility is set to open in mid-March and will host the 2008 U.S. Olympic Diving Team Selection Camp immediately following the 2008 Olympic Diving Trials. The University of Tennessee Diving Team is coached by Dave Parrington and the equipment was installed by Springboards and More. (www.SpringboardsAndMore.com)

Monday, March 10, 2008

Former PDCA President Keith Russell Named U.S. Olympic Diving Judge


Keith Russell, Diving Coach at Brigham Young University and former President of the United States Professional Diving Coaches Association, Inc. has been named Olympic Diving Judge for the United States. Springboards and More congratulates Keith and we know he will represent the United States and the Sport of Diving in a very positive light.

Congratulations to Team USA

Members of USA Diving competed in the FINA World Cup and their success assured the U.S. of maximum participation at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The U.S earned six Olympic spots at the 2007 World Championships but needed to qualify for six more at the world cup held in Beijing. Congratulations and get ready for Beijing!

Sell Springboards And More Items At Your Next Diving Meet

Springboards And More offers consignment sales for many of our most popular items - Sammys & Aqua Towels, Meet Supplies, Wrist Grips, Books & Videos, Equipment Packages, and an assortment of diving related items. A great fundraising idea for your team! Visit our website at SpringboardsAndMore.com or contact us at (877) 348-3246 for more information.