The Coaches

Mark Ruiz

Mark Ruiz
Mark Ruiz grew up in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. He took up diving at the age of 9 and moved to Orlando as a 12 year old to pursue his dreams of diving and be a part of a better training program. He chose Team Orlando Diving. By the age of 15, Mark became the youngest diver, behind Greg Louganis, to finish second at a US Nationals. After that, he won 9 Junior National Championship titles and won the 1994 Sullivan Award, the most prestigious award given an amateur athlete. At the 1999 US Nationals he swept all three events, 10M Platform, 3M Springboard and 1M Springboard, becoming the first diver since Greg Louganis to accomplish this feat. He became the most decorated diver in US history. Then, Mark won the 1999 Pan Ams Games gold medal, and made the 2000 and 2004 US Olympic Teams. He was the only American diver, other than Louganis, to make the US Olympic Team on both 3M and Platform. Ruiz finished 6th and 7th at the 2000 Olympic Games and 7th on Platform at the 2004 Olympics. He was named 2000 US Olympic Committee Male Diver of the Year and 2 time US Diver of the Year. Mark was a 22 Time US National Champion. He remains among the top 5 most accomplished medal winning divers in American history.

Mark Ruiz attended Dr. Phillips High School. He won 4 High School State Championships, and held the National High School Record for over 10 years. Mark trained with Jay Lerew at Team Orlando Diving. In 2003 Mark began his own Mark Ruiz Diving Camps and Clinics available to divers all over the country. Mark’s world class knowledge, experience and enthusiasm have made his camp one of the most desired diving camps in the US. Mark is married to Nicole Bolt, former Team Orlando diver, Dr. Phillips HS State Champion, NCAA Diving All American of the University of Florida.

Presently Mark is coaching Team Orlando Diving full time. He will be taking over for Jay and Wendy Lerew as TOD Head Coach. The TOD tradition of excellence is in good hands. Congratulations Mark Ruiz