Kristen Haden Black woman won the first black title.
Kristen Haden Becomes 1st Black
Woman to Ever Win a National Diving
Title
Nationwide — Kristen Hayden, who hails from
Hillsborough, New Jersey, makes history as the first Black
woman to win a national diving title after recently
securing her victory at the USA Diving Winter National
Championships. What’s more, she is the first Black
American to earn a bid to the world championships!
Hayden paired with Quinn Henninger for the mixed
synchronized 3-meter springboard competition. The duo
took the lead on their third dive and earned 7.0s and 7.5s
on their next two dives totaling a score of 286.86 points,
just 3 points ahead of their competitors Carson Tyler and
Anne Fowler.
Hayden is now one of the only two Black divers to win the
U.S. national titles, joining Mike Wright who won on the
1-meter springboard in 2012.
“I don’t think words can even describe the
feeling,” Hayden said in a statement. “You read about
people like that, you watch Serena Williams, Simone
Biles, Simone Manuel, but when it’s yourself, it’s insane. I
think the whole diving community is headed in the right
direction and I just want to be a good example for young
Black Americans or any minority really for diving in the
U.S.”
She will go on to team up with Margo O’Meara for the 3-
meter synchro competition and she will compete in the
individual 1-meter and 3-meter events as well.
Hayden, who was a team member at the 2016 Junior
Worlds Championships, is qualified for the World
Championships in Japan next year, making her the first
Black American to achieve the feat.
The 23-year old diver started the sport at the age of 10.
She is currently enrolled at Indiana University. She is also
a founding member of USA Diving’s Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Council.
Follow her on Instagram @KrisHayden
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