ATLANTA — A Georgia 11-year-old is making strides and putting herself on the future radar for Team USA.
As the 2024 Olympics in Paris approaches, the Olympic qualifying events are spotlighting some amazing up-and-coming talent.
Young diver ElliReese Niday's strength and skill are far beyond her years. Niday has been a natural since she was seven and made the transition from gymnastics to diving.
"I love to travel and meet new people," said Niday. "It's pretty cool, I feel like it's going to be a great team."
The 11-year-old was the youngest to compete at this year's diving winter nationals in Knoxville.
Her talent runs in the family. Her mother, Lauryn McCalley Niday, was a star at the University of Tennessee and is a Georgia Aquatic Hall of Fame inductee. Lauryn said it was special to see her daughter compete in the winter nationals at the same place she dove in college in a full circle moment.
"It is so amazing that I was here 20 years ago and had no clue that I would have a daughter," said Lauryn. "I just pray for her and for her upcoming dive. But, we do sometimes talk in between to keep her mind off things."
"It's really cool because she knows, like, if I'm going through like a hard dive or I can't hit them... she'll give me advice," said ElliReese.
ElliReese won't be eligible to compete in the Olympics until she is 14 -- which means she could qualify for the Games when Los Angeles hosts in 2028.
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