ACES Diving was originally founded in 2006 by Jen White and Kris Kline with the vision to
provide a safe and affordable program while keeping a high quality training for athletes of all ages and abilities. The club grew too well over 150 athletes ranging in abilities from beginner, to State and National level divers. After much contemplation, in 2011 ACES merged with the Ohio State Diving Club where Coach Jen became the full time Lead Developmental Coach, and Coach Kris went on to become a doctor.
The Ohio State Dive Club went on to win numerous National Championships and grew to be a powerhouse in diving, with former divers set to represent the USA in the 2020 Olympics which were canceled. When the world took a turn during Covid-19, they set up a gym in Coach Jens backyard and kept the Westerville JayCee pool open to train. The news that OSDC was done and had no current plan to return, resulting in Coach Mandy and Jen restarting ACES. The gym was moved indoors and we work hard to utilize every facility available to train. Focusing on goals, physical training and friendships has been a lifeline for these athletes, as well as our coaches! We continue to grow and thrive, offering opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to learn and compete.
The sport of diving offers a unique balance of strength, coordination, agility, flexibility, spatial
awareness and finesse. At ACES, we train these skills not only in the pool but most importantly
in dryland training. With the use of skill progressions on diving boards over mats, trampolines,
tumble-tracks, and spotting systems a diver can learn these movements in a safe and highly
repetitive atmosphere.
ACES understands the difficulty and demands a family requires. Named after Jen's children
Ashley, Colin, Emily, Shane (and now Sarah) we are committed to family first. Our coaches
know it is privilege to work with your children, understanding the sacrifice and investment on
the family, as well as the reward and growth sports and teams provide.
Head Team Coach
I have been actively involved in diving since I was 5 years old, I competed through high school and into college (University of Arizona) where I retired after 17 years due to injury. I immediately transitioned to coaching helping our college team as Team Manager/Assistant Coach and coaching a local high school team in Tucson, AZ. I have continued to coach summer club, high school, and club diving for the past 20+years. I have had the privilege to be the head or assistant to coach to countless All-American High School divers, USA/AAU/YMCA National Champions, and international qualifiers. Prior to ACES Diving, I was the Head Coach at Ohio State Diving Club where we were 2019 USA Diving Junior National Champions. I was also Head Coach/Owner of Queen City Diving and coached with Legacy Diving in Ypsilanti, MI. I have international coaching experience at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, 2019 Junior Pan Ams, and 2020 FINA Grand Prix in Rostock, Germany. In addition to coaching, I have served as a FINA certified judge for USA Diving domestically and internationally from 2013 to present, having most recently judged the 2021 ACC Championship meet. I have been happily married for 16+ years. My husband, Chris, and I have four children - Jake (167), Brenden (15), Rylan (11) and Miles (8). My boys are avid soccer players and my daughter enjoys art - none are divers.
Head Assistant Team Coach
Grad assistant for The Ohio State diving team., Jacob is moving to Hilton Head, NC to start life in the real world. We wish him tons of luck on this new venture!
Assistant Team Coach
Lena is a former OSU diver studying business. Lena began her diving career at the Westerville JayCee Pool with coach Jen and then later with the Ohio State Diving Club. Lena was the 2019 D2 Girls State Champion. She began Coaching in 2021 with ACES and has been a valuable member of our coaching team on all levels. Lena is currently the lead coach for the College Prep team and Green team level divers.
Assistant Team Coach
Lyle is a student and diver at OSU. He grew up in northern Ohio and was diver with American Flyers. He was active at one time in the Ohio Diving League. Lyle , someday wants to be a Spanish teacher, He has an awesome podcast on "The Diving Pod" on Spotify ... be sure to listen. He wants to play the guitar like Jimmy Hendrix and sail the world someday.
Owner and Head Developmental Coach
Originally from Granville, Coach Jen started diving midway through High School and into college. Upon entering BGSU, I started coaching divers with BGSU Swim Club and 5 area High Schools, but switched to running XC while still coaching dive. With a degree in Exercise Science and Physiology, I started personal training and summer league coaching at NACC then Highlands for 13 years, then Westerville JC for the 15 years, earning at least one champ title every year. As a High School diving coach for the past 30 years, I am honored to have represented 77 athletes at the state meet and 6 state champions. The original ACES Diving was started in 2006, and had over 100 divers ranging in levels from newborn (my own) to National finalists. As a business decision, I joined with OSDC as the Lead Developmental Coach in 2012 to learn and grow professionally. I love introducing the sport of diving to newbies! Also the founder of CODA, past president of the Ohio Diving League and GCSL Dive commissioner --the wife of Tracy and mother of 5, ranging from 26 to 14. As a fun fact, Jen also coaches Middle School Cross Country.
Head Assistant Developmental Coach
Emily is currently a senior and a diver at Big Walnut High School. Emily started diving at Westerville Jaycee Pool at age 6 where she assistant coached for 3 years. She takes the lead on the Summer Swim America Dive lessons and is the Head Assistant coach with the lessons program for ACES. Fun Fact: She is is the "E" in ACES
Assistant Developmental Coach
Hunter is currently a student and former diver for OSU. He started coaching with us the Spring of 2022 ad continues as one of our lead coaches for the PREP team divers. Hunter wants divers to see the big picture of the world of diving and set their goals from there! Hunter loves to dance and you can catch him anytime, anywhere getting sturdy and hitting the griddy. He also like apples a lot.
Assistant Developmental Coach
My name is Clay Chaplin, and I’m from Denver Colorado. I’ve been diving for over 10 years! My diving career started in Colorado with Mile High Dive Club, and since then I’ve been competing in diving competitions nationally and internationally. I’m currently a diver for the United States national team, and this is my second year as an Ohio State diver. I love to coach and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned during my time as a diver, and my experience in being dubbed the KING Baby Bunny.
Assistant Developmental Coach
Kylie is a student and diver at OSU, and our newest addition to the ACES Coaches. Kylie is a former DDC diver and is majoring in computer stuff so can hopefully help Coach Jen with all this stuff because she dislikes this part of the job the most :)
Website Designer and SYS Admin
Gunnar is a senior at Olentangy High school and has committed to The Ohio State University for Criminology and Criminal Justice. Gunnar has been diving with Jen since he was 9. Gunnar has designed and maintains the ACES Diving website, Central Ohio Dive League Website, and the iClass Pro website.
Assistant Developmental Coach
Coach Ashley White has been diving her whole life. She dove summer league at Westerville JC until she was 18 and competed for Big Walnut high school as a varsity athlete all 4 years, making state team senior year. Ashley started coaching lessons and summer league when she was 16. In 2015, she attended Bowling Green State University for nursing while competing on the swim and dive team until graduation in 2019. Currently she is working as a nurse at OSU and will be working part time as a coach. Fun fact, Ashley is the "A" in ACES and is Jen's oldest of 5 children!
Assistant Developmental Coach / HS & MS Coach
Jill was a member of the original ACES diving program and has been a part of diving in Central Ohio for 20+ years. Jill is the Head Coach for Plain Township and The Columbus Country Club summer dive teams. She also coaches for numerous High schools including CSG, Gahanna, Pickerington and Columbus Academy. Jill was a diver and is a graduate of BGSU and is an intervention specialist for Worthington Christian.
Assistant Developmental Coach / HS & MS Coach
Brittany has been a part of diving in Central Ohio for 20+ years. She is the Head Coach for Worthington Wave and Brookside Golf and Country Club. She also coaches Worthington Kilbourne and Thomas Worthington High School Teams. Brittany was a diver at the University of Cincinnati and graduated with a BA in Spanish. She has 4 kids and spends her time raising them and coaching.
Assistant Coach
Zander is a senior at Big Walnut High School. He helps the coaches the lessons divers on Sundays. He started diving at the age of 6 with Coach Jen at the WJC Pool. He was awarded the Peggy Award this past summer through CODA.
Gym Custodian
Shane was a diver for Big Walnut High School. He completed his freshman year at Lenoir-Rhyne University and is on the track and field team. Shane started diving when he was 5 at Westerville JC Pool. Shane keeps our Dry-Gym clean and functional. Fun fact Shane is the S in ACES
Assistant Coach
Taylor Vargo is a sophomore in college at Miami university, and am studying biochem/pre-med. She was a diver at the Ohio State Dive Club for 5 years and dove for her high school. Along with ACES, She coach for the Westerville Highlands summer league team.
We are HIRING Coaches for various locations around Central Ohio for lesson, summer league and assistant team coaching. If you are interested please contact Coach Jen! We would love to have your as part of our coaching team this summer and/or year round! Student starting pay is $12.50/hr, qualified professional coaches based on experience start $15 - 20/hour.
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