Clemson Adds Two Diving Signees

June 26, 2012

Clemson Head Diving Coach Leslie Hasselbach signed two athletes to National Letters-of-Intent to compete for Clemson in the 2012-13 season. The signees announced today include Katie Barolak and Juliana Melchionda.

Clemson will compete in diving this winter and will be coach by Hasselbach. A schedule for the diving program will be announced later in the summer.

“With the addition of these two student-athletes, we will have a very solid freshmen class going into our first Women’s Diving season,” said Hasselbach. “I am impressed with their overall maturity as a class and they all know how to work hard through adversity. We are thrilled for Katie and Juliana to join our Tiger Diving family.”

Katie Barolak, The Woodlands, TX High School: The Woodlands High School Diving Club: The Woodlands Diving Academy Coach Hasselbach Comments: “Katie began diving at the age of 13. She has been a US Diving Jr National qualifier since 2009. She is also a High School All-American. Last summer Katie and her synchronized diving partner finaled in the 3m Synchro event at Jr Nationals and she also finaled in the 3m and the 3m synchro event at the United States Diving Senior Zone Preliminary Championships. I am looking forward to Katie making an immediate impact in our program. She competes in all three events, 1m, 3m, and platform. Katie possesses the “Eye of the Tiger” and I look for her to quickly excel in our training environment.”

Juliana Melchionda, Braintree, MA High School: Thayer Academy Diving Club: Boston Area Diving Club Coach Hasselbach Comments: “Juliana competed in gymnastics for 10 years before switching over to diving. She has been competitively diving for 5.5 years with the Boston Area Diving club. Juliana finaled in the 1m event at the 2011 US Diving Age Group Nationals and she finaled in the 1m & 3m events at AAU Nationals. She finished runner up on the 1m at the 2011 AAU Nationals. As soon as Juliana stepped foot on our campus, she knew she was going to be a Tiger! Juliana brings a high-energy attitude with a tremendous work ethic. She will also make an immediate impact in our program.”