Take the Leap: Join the PVI Swim & Dive Team

by: Annabelle Bailey '27

The PVI Swim & Dive Team has had great success over the years So far this season, PVI set five NOVA Catholic meet records, one new PVI school record, and diver Allie Reback has come in first in all her meets this season. I have been a swimmer on the PVI Swim & Dive team since my freshman year. It has been such an amazing and rewarding experience. Both the swimmers and the divers have accomplished so much. The diving program at PVI is incredible, and there has been much success born from it. Unfortunately, three out of the four divers on the team are seniors graduating this year. This leaves just one diver returning next year.

One of our most successful divers, Allie Reback, says she was initially inspired to join the PVI dive team because her older sister was on it for their summer pool’s team. Allie has found her immense success through constant learning and practice Through this success, Allie has been on the state's team three times, won NOVA Catholics twice, and placed 7th at states her sophomore year. Allie is committed to Fairfield University for diving.

“I always wanted to do a sport in college, I just didn’t know which one it would be, but once I found diving in high school, I knew it was the sport for me. ” Allie’s advice to divers is to not be afraid to join the PVI dive team, even if you have no experience at all, and as long as you aren’t afraid to learn, you’ll pick it up quickly.

Another diver from the PVI Dive team, Kelsa Boodlal, joined during her junior year, but has quickly made such a big impact in such a short period of time. Kelsa joined the dive team because she used to do gymnastics, and fellow diver Allie Reback told her that it was similar to diving and suggested she try it out Kelsa shared that when she first joined the team, she was definitely nervous because it was new to her but eventually she found it really fun and rewarding.

Sophomore Hayden Hill als Hayden has been doing gym her life, and was disappoint there was no gymnastics tea school of choice. Fortunatel diving was the sport that wa and easiest for gymnasts to incorporating her gymnasti was pretty easy. Her love fo since she first started diving first to learn the new skills practice and learning, I fina

Of course, to teach and mak incredible as they are, there Smolinske. Coach Joe has i about five years now and he a great sport not only for an or tumbling experience, but considers themselves “adve “fearless!”

The coach and the four unb tremendously helped our Sw winning. Unfortunately, All are seniors, which means th for the PVI team. That leave diver for the 2025-2026 sea potentially the 2026-2027 s highly encourage anyone in diving. If you ’ re a gymnast diving is an amazing oppor participate in a sport that w those same skills while bein PVI team. Even if you ’ re no dancer, diving is an incredi meet new people, make new sport, and help to continue victory!

For more information about joining PVI’s Swim and Dive Team, contact Coach Joe at jsmolinske@paulvi.net.