NVSL Dive News & Information

• Cracker Jack Meet Sunday at North Springfield

  Thu, 7-16-2026 | Lynn Clark

  The 37th annual Cracker Jack Invitational meet will be held this Sunday, July 19 at North Springfield. This championship meet for beginning divers is central to the mission of NVSL Dive, to help children develop skills and a love for the sport. It has a fun and friendly atmosphere, and every diver gets Cracker Jacks, as well as a medal or ribbon. Rules are more relaxed (see ruleset here). Jumps are allowed for all ages, as are do-overs and certain coach-assisted dives.

  Divers may compete in either Cracker Jack or Divisionals, but not both. Coaches and divers should make this decision together. There are cut-off scores that determine diver eligibility for Cracker Jack (see meet flyer). Rather than competing in the usual categories (Freshman, Junior, Intermediate, Senior), divers compete against those of their actual age (6 & under, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & up).

  Divers must be pre-registered to compete. Those who wish to compete in Cracker Jack should ask their coach and team rep to sign them up ASAP. Registration will close at noon on Saturday. In order to register, they must be on the official NVSL roster for their team (Instructions here). Parents should note that their diver's age for this meet is determined by whatever age they were on June 1st and are not permitted to "dive-up" in a different age group.

  Parents are encouraged to volunteer to work at this meet. Please ask your team rep to sign you up!

  Divers who would like a meet t-shirt can purchase one here.

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• A Brief Note for Referees and Judges

  Wed, 7-15-2026 | Jim Sweeder
   
  Only one more meet to go, and then Divisionals.  I have recently been informed of two concerns with officials.  First, is a tendency to not call balks for our younger divers.  As a reminder of our rules, balks should be called on ANY diver, regardless of age or team, and used as a teaching moment for coaches. Second, divers, who do not attempt to come out of a tuck, should be awarded a max of 2 points.  Referees and judges should ensure that their scores reflect the skill the diver displays, not the degree of difficulty.  There is a tendency especially for new judges to award dives like a 104C satisfactory or high deficient scores when the dive was actually, or close to, a cannonball.  Referees should emphasize the importance of finishing the dive prior to entering the water and make the max 2 call as appropriate.

   

  I hope your season is going well, and we wish all of our divers success in this final week of diving and all of our post-season championship events.

   

  And thanks for volunteering as NVSL officials -- we have the best seats on deck.

• Week 4 Scoreboard

  Tue, 7-14-2026 | Thomas Joyce

  We're in the home stretch now with Week four upon us. Things are just starting to get busy now with CrackerJack, Divisionals, Synchro and All Stars all within the next three weekends. So Buckle up!
  
  Week 4 Scoreboard Link

• Wally Martin Info

  Sat, 7-11-2026 | David Grannis

  The annual Wally Martin 3 Meter meet was Sunday at OakMont Rec Center in Oakton.
  

  The results can be found here 

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