Head Coach Zach Hernandez
I started diving because it looked cool and it was something fun to do over the summer with my friends. I didn't really know it at the time but looking back Grant* was definitely my inspiration for starting to dive year-round and he was 100 percent the reason I wanted to start coaching. I just finished my 13 year career a few weeks ago and I've had time to reflect on all my experiences. The thing I enjoy most about diving is that it isn't like any other sport. There isn't a ball or a field and most of the time it doesn't necessarily feel like you are competing for a team. You learn to compete for yourself and overcome obstacles on your own. Obviously the coaches and teammates are there to help you but learning a new dive and overcoming fear has to come from within yourself. I was told I wouldn't be a collegiate diver because I let fear stand in the way during high school. I end my career as an All American at the University of Florida and it all started at St. Ives Country Club.
*Grant Segal was the Head Coach of the St Ives Dive Team for 25 years before he handed the reigns over to Zach. He not only coached Zach for many years but also our assistant coaches Mary Grace and Abby. Grant still coaches Abby through the Atlanta Diving Association's JO program where he is the Program Director. |
Assistant Coach Mary Grace Cordtz
I started diving at St Ives CC at the age of 8. I continued to dive with the Atlanta Diving Program for the years following that until leaving Johns Creek to attend Canterbury School in Connecticut this past year. I continue to dive at my school and this year helped our team bring home the runner up trophy for the New England Small School Division Championships. My favourite part about diving is the friends I have made over the years; the people I started diving with continue to be very involved in my everyday life. I am so excited to be able to coach alongside Zach and Abby this year and look forward to meeting everyone this summer!!
Assistant Coach Abby Gardner
Hi my name is Abby Gardner and I started diving when I was 5 years old. I began diving at St Ives with Coach Grant Segal. I started dive because my mom signed me up and some of my friends were doing it. I loved diving because it was a fun way to get to know more people and I loved the thrill of jumping into the air. I kept diving until I was 9, then decided I was tired of smacking on the water, so I quit. I most certainly didn’t miss it at all. My mom signed me back up when I was 13 with an agreement to at least try it out for a week. I ended up falling in love with the sport, more so than I had before. After that summer, I began diving year-round with Atlanta Diving Association at Georgia Tech. I have been diving with ADA ever since and I love it, now diving 5 days a week! The thing that keeps me excited to dive is not only that I love flipping and twisting, but I love the challenges that come along with the sport. I think this sport has truly molded me into who I am because of the obstacles that have to be faced each and every dive. Diving truly teaches you key life skills. When you do a new dive, there is a tremendous amount of fear involved because you have never done it before. Not only is diving a mental game, but also encourages you to be brave, willing, flexible, a good listener, and dedicated. Even to this day, I enjoy the challenges I have to face with doing a dive. Although diving is an individual performance, the team aspect really brings the whole program together. Words of encouragement and sharing the same struggles really is comforting when trying a new dive or overcoming a fear. Really my main inspiration to be the best I can be is through the support and challenge I receive from my coaches and teammates. I truly believe if you sign your kid up for dive, they will love it, being in the presence of the best coaches and teammates around!!! (-;
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