College Bound: Top Young Divers Announce Commitments

Photo Courtesy: Pexels

By Erin Keaveny, Swimming World Contributor

Each year, USA Diving releases a high performance squad list, naming the nation’s most talented and promising divers. The list is made up of three tiers. The third tier is all junior divers.

Some of the divers on this list are taking their talents to college next year, part of the class of 2023. Here are some of the High Performance Squad members’ college commitments.

Lyle Yost – The Ohio State University

View this post on Instagram

B1G things are coming to Ohio State Diving. We are excited to welcome 2x Junior National Champion and #1 Recruit of the Class of 2019 Lyle Yost to #TeamGnar ?? #OSUDiving #GoBucks

A post shared by Ohio State Diving (@ohiostate_diving) on Nov 15, 2018 at 12:28pm PST

Yost is from Shaker Heights, Ohio and American Flyers Diving. He is a 2018 Junior National Team member, and 2017 Junior National Champion. He also holds two bronze medals from the 2017 Junior Pan American Championships. He will be taking his talents to The Ohio State University.

Ali Watson – Duke University

.@ftldivingteam’s Aliyah Watson gets the women’s 10m final started at #WinterNats17 ? pic.twitter.com/7zZiKBQWgp

— USA Diving (@USADiving) December 16, 2017

Watson is from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and dives for Fort Lauderdale Diving Team. She is the reigning Junior National Champion on platform, and recently placed 7th on platform at Winter Trials. Watson is headed to Duke University this fall.

Nick Hart – University of California, Berkeley

View this post on Instagram

it has been such a long journey getting here… being with this team for 5 years has taught me so many things and got me to this point. I couldn’t be anymore grateful to my parents, coaches, and teammates for supporting me no matter what and always standing by me. I love all of you so so so much and I’m going to miss you more than anything!!! Let’s make this last year an amazing one!! ❤️and lets not forget #worlddiabetesday ;)… GO BEARS ???

A post shared by Nick Hart (@nickhart02) on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:17pm PST

Hart is from Indianapolis, Ind. and dives for Ripfest Diving Club. At the 2016 Junior National Championships he came in 2nd on 3-meter, and 4th on 1-meter and platform. He has committed to the University of California at Berkeley.

Jordan Skilken – University of Texas

Can’t wait to see you on the 40 Acres, Jordan. ????? pic.twitter.com/CSsIe0KO5x

— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) November 17, 2018

Skilken is from Columbus, Ohio and dives for Ohio State Diving Club. She recently placed 4th on 3-meter and 6th on platform at Junior World Championships Trials. Skilken will be taking her talents to the University of Texas.

Jessica Warak – University of Nebraska

Blessed to say that I will be continuing my academics and diving at UNL. Thanks to all who have supported me throughout my diving ❤? #GBR pic.twitter.com/6iDMz85sT3

— Jessica Warak (@jess_warak) October 4, 2017

Warak is from Bellevue, Neb. and dives for Nebraska Diving Club. She is a three-time high school All-American, and the platform bronze medalist in the junior events at the 2017 USA Diving National Championships. Warak will be diving for the University of Nebraska.

Congratulations to the members of the High Performance Squad, and all the athletes who have committed to dive at the collegiate level in the fall.

For a list of more commits from the class of 2023, visit USA Diving’s list here.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use