Goodyear team earns national spotlight at diving championships

The YMCA Westside Silverfins Dive Team earned second place overall for boys at the 2025 AAU Diving National Championships, a premier youth competition held July 20–27 in Riverside, California.

More than 600 divers representing 90 teams from across the country competed at the Riverside Aquatic Complex. The Silverfins, based at the Southwest Valley YMCA in Goodyear, stood out with multiple top finishes, including several national champion titles.

“This is more than a team—it’s a family, and I’m proud of what they’ve achieved together,” said head coach Bill Hunter. “These young athletes worked incredibly hard all year long, and last week, they showed the country what West Valley talent looks like.”

Among the award winners were Haskell Fagan and Levi Berlyn, who took first place in the Boys 13 & Under synchronized 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events. Tanner Lange also secured two national titles, winning the Boys 15 3-meter springboard and the Boys 14–15 platform events.

The Silverfins are led by Hunter and assistant coach Daniel Fecteau. Over the past few years, the organization says the team has emerged as a growing force in national youth diving circles, known for its focus on both performance and personal growth.

According to the Amateur Athletic Union, the National Championships serve as a major platform for developing future diving talent, promoting sportsmanship, and building lasting friendships among athletes.

The team’s coaching philosophy emphasizes technique, racing strategy, leadership, and accountability.

“Our athletes learn self-discipline, time management, sportsmanship and goal setting—important lessons that will ultimately prepare them for life after swimming,” the team’s mission states.

With its strong showing on the national stage, the YMCA Westside Silverfins Dive Team states it continues to cement its reputation as one of the country’s elite youth diving programs.