AAU DIVING

Reston Diver Brings Home the Medals

Bryce, who also won the bronze for the platform, started training with the Patriots Division Club at George Mason University last December. He dives two hours a week and qualified for the Orlando championships through other regional competitions.

"It was fun," he said. Although he sometimes gets scared before a dive, he said, he wasn't nervous before these dives. "He's a pretty calm competitor," his mother said. "We've always told him you have to compete against yourself."

Bryce's sister, Sydney, 11, also dives. The youngsters' father, Blair, dove for the Virginia Military Institute and competed in the NCAA nationals.

"We didn't know what to expect going down there," the father said, because Bryce had competed mostly against East Coast divers.

"We were quite shocked" by the national win, Blair Shelton said.

Bryce, who started diving as a 4-year-old in Vienna, has competed in gymnastics since he was 6 years old.

"He just has a natural ability for having good form," the father said. "And a lot of focus."

By Moira E. McLaughlin
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, August 16, 2007; Page VA06