Shorecrest grad qualifies for the Olympics

Katrina Young

By Diane Hettrick

Katrina Young, 2010 graduate of Shorecrest High School, has just qualified for the U.S. Dive team for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 10 meter platform event.

Katrina said, I have been diving since age nine and have known early on how much I cherish this sport. I have aspired to be on an Olympic Team since I was young and competed and finaled in the 2012 Olympic Trials. 

Katrina graduated from Florida State University in 2015. During that time she set and continues to hold the 10 meter platform record for FSU and the ACC, set the 1 meter record, and became a three time ACC Champion and three time NCAA All American.

She has been in full-time training in Florida with coach John Proctor since her college graduation. Katrina's parents, Sean and Carol Young, live in Shoreline.

From the Team USA blog:

"Young, 24, began diving at the age of 9 and earned a platform silver medal at the 2005 Junior Pan American Championships. Two years later she broke her right leg across the growth plate, which began a long and difficult journey back to form before making her first national team in 2013." 

"She becomes the second Olympian in her family. Her grandmother, Elaine Young, was a sprinter at the London 1948 Olympic Games."

Help local girl get to the Olympics

Unlike most other countries who send competitors to the Olympics, the U.S. Government provides no funding for the athletes, who are expected to raise their own funds.

Once they quality, there is some help from USA Diving, but Olympians still need to raise funds to cover the rest of their expenses.

Katrina has a GoFundMe site for donations and welcomes the support of her local community.