Diving to the Top

It's been a busy month for The New Canaan YMCA's Whirlwind Diving team. 

The team won first place for the 11th year at the YMCA National Diving Championship in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, after placing 4th against 25 Junior Olympic teams at the USA East National Championship in Knoxville, TN. All in the space of nine busy and competitive days in April.

Since he founded Whirlwind Diving in 1997, head coach — and New Canaan resident — Joe Somma has developed national and state champions, All-Americans and two members of USA Diving Junior Elite Performance Squad.

"This was our best year ever overall," Somma told About Town. "I was really pleased with how the team performed at these championship meets and I am proud of each and every one of them."

Divers come to the New Canaan Y from New Canaan, Greenwich, Darien, Ridgefield, Wilton, Weston, Westport, Fairfield and Westchester, NY towns Rye Brook, Katonah, South and North Salem to train exclusively with Somma and assistant coaches, Sergey Meshcherskiy and Allison Coleman. 

"The breadth of Joe, Alison and Sergey's talent enables the group to be successful on every level," said Laura Fitzpatrick, a Whirlwind parent for more than seven years. "Whirlwind is a true team. When a diver learns a new dive, the other divers explode with applause — they are in tune with one another. It doesn't get much better than that!"

Justin Sodokoff, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Katie Warburg brought home gold and silver from the YMCA National Championship. 

New Canaan's Kylie Towbin placed in the top six after competing in her first meet since recovering from a broken collar bone.

At the USA East National Championship Sam Scribano, Tim Luz, Lee Christensen and Jackson McGoldrick along with Fitzpatrick and Warburg achieved notable placements.

"We are proud of the accomplishments that our YMCA Diving Team has achieved this year and at the National level," said Craig Panzano, the YMCA's Executive Director. "The kids have worked very hard to get where they are. The coaching staff is to be commended for their dedication to the sport and to the kids themselves."

Parents say they appreciate the nurturing and supportive environment at The Y, which becomes their kids' second home during year round diving practices.  

For the kids, the payoff is attending championship meets.

"I love going to big meets like USA Diving East Nationals," said Elizabeth Fitzpatrick. "It's awesome to have so many friends from around the country who love to dive as much as I do. It's like a really big family."