Rutgers Divers: Summer Competition Wrapped, Preparations for 2026-27 Season Underway
Sep 23 | Women's Swimming & Diving
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā Rutgers diving program has been a force in recent years as one of the top diving groups in the nation, earning a top-10 national ranking last season by the US PDCA. As the new season approached, Rutgers divers continued to work over the summer months in preparation for the upcoming year.
The main meet over the summer came as three Scarlet Knights competed at the USA Diving Summer Nationals. Rutgers was led by Bailee Sturgill finishing in third place in the Synchronized 3M diving portion, earning a bronze medal. Gianna Lawrence and Madilyn Varnum also competed at the event.
Rutgers divers boast a strong connection in competing with Team USA, as highlighted in a feature in sync with the American 250th celebration for the fourth of July. Both Sturgill and teammate Katerina Hoffman have a longstanding connection to competing with USA Diving at the highest international levels representing the Red, White and Blue.
Rutgers has five divers on the roster for this season: senior Amelia Scott, juniors Katerina Hoffman, Bailee Sturgill and Madilyn Varnum and sophomore Gianna Lawrence. RU sees the departure of Sephora Ford, who last season was a Second Team All-American on Platform and team captain.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing working with this group of divers this season," diving coach Natasha Chikina said. "And I'm excited to see how much they can improve this season and what they can contribute to the team and how much progress they can make this season."
Katerina Hoffman is a team captain and a Big Ten Preseason Diver to Watch entering this season. Rutgers' Diver of the Year last season, she was a Second Team All-American on the 3-Meter board at NCAA Championships, placing 14th overall.Ā She holds three top-ten scores on RU's all-time leaderboard.
Bailee Sturgill was a First Team Scholar All-American last season after being an NCAA Qualifier on 1M, 3M and Platform, finishing top-four in all three boards at NCAA Zones. A Big Ten podium finisher on the 1M Dive (seventh), she also earned a Big Ten Diver of the Week accolade during last season.Ā She holds three top-ten scores on RU's all-time leaderboard.
"I'm so excited to be able work with some very talented and hard-working divers," Amelia Scott said. "They really work hard and we all put the effort in. Smiling along with them on the pool deck is one of the best feelings. Seeing them all grow as people as well as divers is something I'm really excited to see."
The diving program will be back in action shortly as the season begins in October. The first meet of the season comes on October 9-10 as RU hosts the Rutgers Preseason Invitational.
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The main meet over the summer came as three Scarlet Knights competed at the USA Diving Summer Nationals. Rutgers was led by Bailee Sturgill finishing in third place in the Synchronized 3M diving portion, earning a bronze medal. Gianna Lawrence and Madilyn Varnum also competed at the event.
Rutgers divers boast a strong connection in competing with Team USA, as highlighted in a feature in sync with the American 250th celebration for the fourth of July. Both Sturgill and teammate Katerina Hoffman have a longstanding connection to competing with USA Diving at the highest international levels representing the Red, White and Blue.
Rutgers has five divers on the roster for this season: senior Amelia Scott, juniors Katerina Hoffman, Bailee Sturgill and Madilyn Varnum and sophomore Gianna Lawrence. RU sees the departure of Sephora Ford, who last season was a Second Team All-American on Platform and team captain.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing working with this group of divers this season," diving coach Natasha Chikina said. "And I'm excited to see how much they can improve this season and what they can contribute to the team and how much progress they can make this season."
Katerina Hoffman is a team captain and a Big Ten Preseason Diver to Watch entering this season. Rutgers' Diver of the Year last season, she was a Second Team All-American on the 3-Meter board at NCAA Championships, placing 14th overall.Ā She holds three top-ten scores on RU's all-time leaderboard.
Bailee Sturgill was a First Team Scholar All-American last season after being an NCAA Qualifier on 1M, 3M and Platform, finishing top-four in all three boards at NCAA Zones. A Big Ten podium finisher on the 1M Dive (seventh), she also earned a Big Ten Diver of the Week accolade during last season.Ā She holds three top-ten scores on RU's all-time leaderboard.
"I'm so excited to be able work with some very talented and hard-working divers," Amelia Scott said. "They really work hard and we all put the effort in. Smiling along with them on the pool deck is one of the best feelings. Seeing them all grow as people as well as divers is something I'm really excited to see."
The diving program will be back in action shortly as the season begins in October. The first meet of the season comes on October 9-10 as RU hosts the Rutgers Preseason Invitational.
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Diving
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Diving
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