March 1, 2021

With files, photos and video from Diving Plongeon Canada

Two Saskatchewan diving connections were honoured with Diving Plongeon Canada Awards in February.

Mary Carroll, assistant coach for the Saskatoon Diving Club and 1992 Olympian, was presented the Coaching Impact Award, while Saskatoon Diving Club member Margo Erlam won the Standing Ovation Athlete Award.

Diving Plongeon Canada’s Coaching Impact Award is presented annually to a coach in recognition of their leadership, innovation, positive role modeling, commitment to coach development, and contribution to DPC activities. The Standing Ovation Athlete Award is presented annually to an athlete in recognition of a breakthrough performance, significant improvement, or an inspiring moment.

In 2020, while facing all the challenges the pandemic presented, Carroll still thought beyond her own club and participated in important development projects on a national scale. Acting as a lead instructor and contributor within DPC’s Virtual Training initiative, Carroll gave her time to assist in the development process of the HP assessment program and acted as an evaluator for the HP Assessment camps.

Margo Erlam competed as a junior against the top senior women divers in Canada at the winter national championship. Sitting first after the three-metre prelims, Erlam posted three scores over 300 to finish with bronze in the event.  During the interrupted COVID-19 season, Erlam has continued to invest in her club by being a virtual workout leader, a mentor to many young divers and a coach to a junior development group.  She has been able to connect with numerous young divers on a personal level, motivating them to pursue their goals and to increase their determination at a time when motivation was difficult to come by.