Divers from around Fredrick County gathered on Friday, May 29, not to compete, but to support a fund raising effort to bring back the diving program for next year.

Recently the Board of Education decided to cut certain athletic programs including diving from the budget, saying that removing the sport would save around $12,700, money that would be spent on paychecks for coaches, transportation costs, and maintaining the pools. Additionally $20,000 would be needed to replace the diving boards.

A car wash was hosted by local talk show host Blane Young, at the Frederick Shell station on Friday. Divers from across the county came to talk on the radio, hold signs by the road, and generally support the effort.

“Diving is a great way to meet people,” said Middletown High School senior Tim Tolino. “It’s just a great sport to be in. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons from diving.”

“Unlike other sports there are no rivalries [in diving], we are all really great friends,” said Erik Moore, a diver from Thomas Johnson High School.

All of the divers were interviewed by Young, including MHS junior Colleen Jones, who has her sights set on breaking the school diving record next year.

Young promoted the car wash, and interviewed divers, coaches, and any nearby supporters for the duration of his radio show, encouraging his listeners to come out and donate to the cause.

            “I was a part of athletics in high school, I know the value of having sports in high school,” said Young. “[There are] things you never learn unless you compete.”

            The divers raised around $2,000 from the car wash, and plan to have other fundraisers in the future.