SIDELINES: 06.04.15

+ Area divers shine at national event

Led by two-time U.S. Olympic diver Mark Ruiz, the YMCA Central Florida Diving team won the top team title at the National Diving Championship competition last weekend. Hosted by the YMCA of the USA, the National Diving Championship is the largest competition for YMCA sponsored diving teams across the nation.

Two local competitors earned top honors at the competition, also.

Maggie Merriman (Olympia High School) won first place in her age group on the 1-meter and platform events, while Makayla Robillard (Olympia High School) won first place in her age group for the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform events.

This year’s competition took place in the YMCA of Central Florida’s home pool at the Aquatic Center on International Drive. 

+ NFL pro to host youth camp

Devin Hester, arguably the greatest kick returner in NFL history, will be hosting a football camp for local youths in July at Olympia High School.

The free clinic, put on by the Devin Hester Foundation, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 and is open to kids ages 6 to 15. Young athletes will have the opportunity to train with Devin and several of his Atlanta Falcons teammates and other NFL friends, as they share their knowledge of the game. 

More information on registration can be found online at devinhesterfoundation.org/devin-hester-foundation-youth-football-clinic-july-11/.

+ Squeeze return for second season

The Winter Garden Squeeze will take the field at 7 p.m. at West Orange High School to kick off its second season in the Florida Collegiate Summer League.

The Squeeze will host the Altamonte Springs Boom, the league’s newest franchise, and will welcome the debut of new head coach Ed Taubensee — a former catcher with 11 years of experience in Major League Baseball.

Everything you need to know about this year’s team can be found in our Winter Garden Squeeze special section, located inside this week’s edition.

+ Top Team tourney ongoing

Little League “Top Team” tournaments, which pit regular-season champions from various area Little Leagues against one another, are ongoing this week.

The District 14 event, which includes Winter Garden, Ocoee, Windermere, Dr. Phillips and South Lake Little Leagues, began June 3 and will continue with pool play before ending with championship games on June 9.

Host sites include South Lake for the Minors tournament, Dr. Phillips for the Majors tournament, Ocoee for the Juniors tournament and Dr. Phillips for the Seniors tournament.

For more information, including scores and schedules, visit eteamz.com/fldist14/.