About TNAQ Diving

Tennessee Aquatics Diving is a nationally ranked springboard and platform diving program based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

With athletes ranging from brand new to national champions, Head Coach Nick Rusek and his staff aim to serve the local diving community across all skill levels. Operating primarily out of the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatics Center on the University of Tennessee’s campus, Tennessee Aquatics’ divers have access to dryland training, trampolines, spotting rigs, as many as seven springboards, and a full tower on a regular basis.

Priding ourselves on athlete development, our program focuses on offering a safe and enjoyable environment for athletes of all levels. If you can swim across the pool then we have something for you! Whether you are stepping on the boards for the first time, or you’re looking for a competitive atmosphere to pursue the highest levels of the sport, Tennessee Aquatics’ coaching staff is ready to work with you to pursue your goals.

We’re proud to be the host of the 2024 USA Diving Olympic Trials and to be able to offer competitive opportunities for our athletes both home and away each year. With eight USA Junior National Titles, two International Gold medals, and multiple appearances on the USA Diving Junior National Team roster over the past decade, Tennessee Aquatics Diving has a track record of creating opportunities for our dedicated divers to truly excel. We’re especially proud to see a significant majority of our graduating divers continue to pursue the sport at the collegiate level, competing at universities across the country.

 

Competitive Team

All group placement decisions are made in the sole discretion of the Tennessee Aquatics coaching staff. Listed below is a nonexclusive list of the factors considered when making group placement decisions.

 

Elite Group

The Elite Group is designed for divers dedicated to training and competing at the highest level. Weekly practices are mandatory, with frequency and intensity adjusted according to the season.

This group is for athletes who have committed to diving as their primary sport, train year-round, and either possess or are close to achieving the skills needed to compete at national-level meets. Divers in the Elite Group are also preparing to compete at the collegiate level.

Training occurs six days per week and includes 1-meter, 3-meter, and/or platform events. Participation in USA Diving meets are required; AAU meets are optional.

 

Additional Considerations

  • Attendance 85%
  • Committed to Collegiate Diving
  • Committed to all USA Diving Meets
  • Committed to Cultural Expectations

 

Age Group

The Age Group team is designed for divers who have either progressed beyond Lessons Group or are new to the sport. This group provides a foundation for athletes looking to develop core diving skills and eventually work toward joining the Elite Group.

Divers focus on developing control over basic dive elements and learning intermediate skills across all board levels—1-meter, 3-meter, and platform. Training includes dives from all categories and emphasizes safe, confident technique.

Training occurs four days per week. Participation in AAU meets is required; USA Diving meets are optional.

 

Additional Considerations

  • Attendance 85%
  • Committed to all AAU meets
  • Committed to Cultural Expectations

 

High School & Middle School Group

This group is designed for middle and high school divers of all skill levels who want to improve technique, build strength and endurance, and prepare for a successful competitive season.

Training focuses on proper fundamentals and dive execution, with the goal of developing a competitive 6-dive list for the regular KISL season and an 11-dive list for the TISCA State Championship. Middle school divers are required to perform 4 dives during the regular season and 6 dives for the KMSSL City Championship Meet, while high school divers are expected to complete 6 dives for the regular season and 11 dives for the TISCA State High School Chamionships meet.

Divers in the High School and Middle School group only compete in KMSSL/KISL and TISCA sanctioned meets.

This group practices three times a week, with meets held weekly. The season runs from October through the first week of February. 

 

 

Non-Competitive Team

 

Homeschool Group

The Homeschool Group is designed for divers of all ages and skill levels who need daytime training due to their homeschooling schedule. This group provides a supportive environment for athletes to develop core diving skills and progress toward their individual goals.

Divers focus on mastering fundamental dive elements and learning dives across all board levels—1-meter, 3-meter, and platform. Training emphasizes safe, confident technique and skill development.

Practice is three times per week and held during the day. Divers have the option to compete in KMSSL/KISL and TISCA sanctioned meets, but participation is not required.

 

 

Lessons Group

The Lessons Group is designed for athletes ages 12 and under who are new to the sport. No experience is required—this is diving 101, where divers begin building a strong foundation in a safe and supportive environment.

This class focuses on fundamental skills and drills, including safe approaches, takeoffs, and proper entries into the water. Dryland and trampoline work are also used to reinforce technique. While the training may feel repetitive at times, mastering the basics is critical for long-term success. We ask parents to be patient and trust the process.

With consistent progress, athletes may be invited to move up to the Age Group team.

While we offer practice four times a week, divers in the Lessons Group are limited to attending two practices per week and can choose the days that best fit their schedule.

 

Interested in having the cleanest entry into the pool this year? Check out Tennessee Aquatics Diving. We’d love to help you take the next step into the sport of diving. 

 

Follow dive on Instagram! @tnaquaticsdive

Questions? Email Coach Nick at n[email protected]