The heavy scent of chlorine fills the humid air as senior Abby Snyder stands at the edge of the one-meter diving board. The atmosphere in the natatorium is lively, and the four girls who comprise the rest of the diving team cheer from the edge of the pool.

After ending her 10-year gymnastics career, senior and diving team captain Abby Snyder discovered diving and fell in love with it.

“I thought I would try something new, so I had started diving the summer before my first year of high school for club diving,” Snyder said. “I decided it would be good to join the Hockaday diving team.”

However, the transition from gymnastics to diving also comes with physical challenges.

“I have really bad back issues, so being on the board constantly is a bit much for my back, but I’ve been able to push through it,” Snyder said.

Beyond the physical toll, Snyder believes another challenge is the new team dynamics.

“I’m really the only senior, and the other four are sophomores, so they are already interconnected in some way,” Snyder said. “So, it’s been a bit rougher getting closer with them than it has in the past year.”

Despite the grade difference, Snyder recognizes that as a captain, her role involves not just diving but also creating a supportive team environment. This season, she is trying to form connections and friendships with the team.

“We are trying to do more team bonding this year just because it is a smaller team, and we have more time together,” Snyder said. “We normally do at least one or two team breakfasts or team dinners just for bonding purposes per season.”

The emphasis on team bonding has helped shape the experience of younger athletes on the roster, including sophomore Karis Crooms, who joined the team this season.

“I decided to join diving because I heard about it last year and wanted to try a new winter sport,” Crooms said. “I really liked how small our team is because it gives me more time to practice my dives, and I have gotten close with all of the other girls on the team.”

As a new member of the team, Crooms has adjusted to the structure of daily practices.

“In a normal practice, we start with warmups and stretching,” Crooms said. “Once we get on the diving board, we start with our less difficult dives and move on to the more difficult dives as practice continues.”

After many morning and afternoon practices, Crooms competed in her first diving meet of the season at the Jesuit Aquatic Center.

“It was a rough meet, and because I was new, I forgot the names of some of my dives,” Crooms said. “I also competed a dive I had yet to practice and had a massive back flop, but it’s okay because I can only go up from there.”

Outside of competitions, team bonding remains part of the weekly routine as the girls try to hang out with each other.

“Typically, after Thursday morning practices, we go to Rusty Taco or Juice Bar for team bonding,” Crooms said.

While the girls focus on building chemistry and their dives, Head Varsity Diving Coach Sierra Thain is also dedicated to the team during practices.

“This is my fifth season coaching the team, and it’s been exciting and very fulfilling,” Thain said. “Sometimes, I find that I’m still learning how to be a better coach, and I am always trying to improve for the team.”

The small size of the diving team has had a direct impact on practices and the girls’ development.

“The smaller the team, the more time they get to spend on the boards,” Thain said. “They’re waiting in line less, they get more time to work on dives, and it also creates a better bond between them on the sides.

The smaller size has translated into progress during competitions this season.

“The team is excited to have a little more meets on the schedule this year than last year,” Thain said. “We’ve got several new PRs, and everybody’s been very consistent.”

Thain has enjoyed watching the girls’ confidence grow, which has made the diving team stronger and more successful.

“I think that one of the best parts is seeing the smiles on the girls’ faces when they make a new dive,” Thain said. “Just being able to see them overcome fear is what makes me excited and happy to coach the team.”