USD Age Rules

Question
Hey Tom - This is Anna from the Kirkland Orca team and also PND.  I have a question regarding age rules with USA Diving.  I am 18 right now, and will turn 19 before December 31, 2010.  I would still love to compete, but is it legal?  I've heard of people who get an exception to this rule because, like me, they are an older senior in high school.  Spring regionals/zones/nationals is coming up soon, and I'd love to go.

Thanks, hope you're doing well.
Anna

Answer
Hi Anna -

I went to the USA Diving website to look up the rules for 2010 so I could answer your question. Here is what I found:

A diver who turns 19 during 2010 can dive in 16-18 J.O. events until their 19th birthday. Once you turn 19, you must then dive in senior events. So depending on when you turn 19 this year, you can dive in the meets you want to go to. Most athletes who turn 19 while in their senior year of high school year start to dive in senior events anyway. It will be good for you to get this experience as these senior events are the same as what you have to do in college - each event is 6 optionals and no voluntaries.

There was a rule change proposal at the National Diving Convention last September where a diver born in 1991 could dive the whole season in J.O. events but not be eligible to be on the J.O.National Team and represent the US at an international meet. I guess it did not pass and was voted down.

Go to the USA Diving wesbite to read the rules for J.O. Diving and you will be ready for this season. There are some other J.O. rule changes you may want to know:

www.usadiving.org.
Click on 'Resources' and then 'Rule Book'
At that page, click on 'Junior Diving Program'
I found the age rule on pages 2 %26 3 under 120.2 #d#.

If you want to see a great college meet to get ready for next year, go to the Pac 10 Diving Champs at Federal Way, February 25,26 %26 27. I will be announcing and Jim and Kelly will be judging. Check with them on the times of the events you want to see.

Hope to see you then.