2 days ago
Teen phenom ElliReese Niday competing for Team USA at American Cup meet at Mylan Park
MORGANTOWN — A portion of the world's top divers will be on display in Morgantown, competing in the USA Diving American Cup, held at the Peak Health Aquatic Center at Mylan Park.
One already has Olympic aspirations even though she's still three years shy of getting her driver's license.
ElliReese Niday, 13, made headlines last month in Alabama by becoming one of the youngest national champions in history when she won the women's 10-meter title at the USA Diving Championships.
'It's really crazy,' Niday said, according to USA Diving. 'Maybe one day when I grow up, I'll make the Olympic team possibly.'
Niday, from Moultrie, Ga., is the daughter of former Tennessee standout Lauryn McCalley Niday, who won national titles in 2000 and 2001 on the 3-meter springboard.
The younger Niday has quickly made her own name in the sport, winning three gold medals at the 2023 Junior Pan American Championships, as well as being a seven-time junior national champion.
The four-day event begins at 10 a.m. Thursday with preliminary rounds in the men's 3-meter and the women's 10-meter. Niday is scheduled to begin 10-meter preliminaries at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday.
Along with members of Team USA, divers from Japan, Australia, Canada and Korea will be competing in the international event.
More preliminary rounds are scheduled for Friday, with finals in individual and synchronized events beginning Saturday and concluding Sunday.
'This is an incredible opportunity for our community to witness Olympic-caliber diving right here in Morgantown,' said Jennifer Lainhart, Director of Aquatics and Track at Mylan Park. 'Hosting athletes from around the world not only showcases the capability of our facility, but it brings global excitement to our region.'
Other headliners competing for Team USA in Morgantown include former TCU standout Anna Kwong, who won the 1-meter title at the USA Diving Championships. She'll be competing in the 3-meter individuals, along with Sophie Verzyl, who finished fifth in the event at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
The combo will also be competing together in the synchronized 3-meter competition.
On the men's side, Carson Tyler took fourth in the 2024 Olympics in the 3-meters and will be competing in that event in Morgantown.
Indiana's Josh Hedberg was once the top-ranked high school diver in the country and he won the 10-meter title last month at the USA Diving Championships.
Hedberg will be competing in the 10-meters this weekend and will double up with Tyler in the synchronized 10-meter competition.
'The American Cup is a tremendous opportunity for divers from around the world to represent their countries and compete on an international stage,' said Lee Michaud, President of USA Diving. 'We're thrilled to welcome everyone to Morgantown and to once again experience the world-class facilities and incredible hospitality that Visit Mountaineer Country and the Peak Health Aquatic Center provide.'
