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 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