Training at West Chester Diving Club Helped Propel This Champion to Top of National, World Diving Stages 

For Kristen Hayden, the path to becoming a national diving champion last year included training at West Chester Diving Club during her high school years, writes Matthew De George for Swimming World. 

Hayden, who is also the first Black woman to represent USA Diving at a World Championship, attended high school in Princeton, New Jersey, where there was a short supply of high-level club diving. 

After she managed to win an NJSIAA title as a freshman in 2013, her parents started to shuttle her two hours each way to West Chester Diving Club. 

And while her physique sets her apart from the majority of her peers, this has not prevented her from achieving major success. 

“I do stand for showing that you can be muscular, you can have strong legs, broad shoulders and still produce beautiful dives,” she said. 

She is also happy to serve as a role model to other girls interested in diving. 

“When I go into the pool, whenever I’m down, just remember that I’m doing this for more than just myself,” she said. 

Read more about Kristen Hayden in Swimming World.