From Childhood Splash to Competitive Heights: The Journey of the Wanzer Twins
When asked about the origins of their diving careers, the Wanzer brothers agree on a single catalyst. Interestingly, it wasn’t their father Cochise’s decade-long experience running a pool maintenance business that sparked their passion. Although Cochise’s work made them familiar with pools-his chlorine scent often lingering on him-what truly set the twins on their path was their mother Nancy’s summer job managing a swim and tennis club in Northern Virginia. As she supervised the facility, her young sons, Nick and Noah, would trail behind her, observing the older children’s splash-filled adventures.
This early exposure was the seed that transformed their relationship with water. The Wanzers evolved from casual pool enthusiasts into dedicated diving athletes. Nick was the first to develop a knack for the sport, and when Noah joined, their twin synergy proved to be a natural fit-especially in synchronized diving competitions. Their collection of medals and trophies grew rapidly, so much so that they often couldn’t recall where each was from, shrugging off the details. Their shared ambition was clear: to compete at the collegiate level, with Olympic dreams occasionally discussed over family dinners. Initially contemplating attending the University of Alabama together, they ultimately chose separate paths-Nick to Virginia and Noah to North Carolina State-embarking on their freshman year with their feet submerged in the sport that had become their second family.
The Unforeseen Disruptions: College Diving Programs Under Threat
However, their promising start was abruptly challenged in early March when Virginia’s coaching staff announced the suspension of its diving program indefinitely. Just days later, N.C. State announced a significant reduction in its roster, cutting Noah from its team entirely. Such program eliminations are often driven by internal school factors-budget constraints, shifting priorities, or strategic realignments-yet rarely are these reasons openly communicated to the athletes, coaches, or supporters affected. As the Wanzers grapple with these setbacks, similar stories are unfolding nationwide, revealing a troubling pattern rooted in financial realities.
The Financial Backbone of College Sports and Its Impact
At the heart of these upheavals lies a complex web of financial interests. The landscape of college athletics is shifting dramatically, especially with the landmark decision that, starting July 1, 2025, collegiate athletes will be compensated directly. This historic legal settlement allows universities to allocate up to $20.5 million per institution for athlete payments across all sports, predominantly benefiting football and men’s basketball programs. This influx of funding is reshaping rosters-schools can now offer unlimited scholarships to a select group of athletes, while trimming or eliminating other sports to manage costs.
Power conference programs, including Virginia and N.C. State, are actively adjusting to this new economic model. Many institutions are resorting to cost-cutting measures, which often involve reducing or discontinuing less profitable or less prioritized sports. While official statements from Virginia and N.C. State have been sparse, the implications are clear: roster reductions, including the removal of divers like Nick and Noah, are driven by financial recalibrations. The settlement’s provision that affected athletes can transfer without penalty-becoming designated student-athletes (DSAs)-has become a lifeline, but it also underscores the upheaval and uncertainty permeating college sports.
The Personal Toll on Young Athletes
For Nick and Noah, the consequences of these decisions hit close to home. Virginia’s decision to place Nick on the DSA list in June, and N.C. State’s similar move for Noah shortly before the transfer deadline, signaled the end of their collegiate diving careers at those schools. With their sophomore years approaching, they faced the daunting task of navigating an uncertain future. Their father Cochise voiced his frustration: “If colleges want to pay football players millions, that’s their choice. But my boys worked their entire lives for this, and now it’s being taken away because of money in other sports? That’s just not fair-it’s outright absurd.”
Challenging Choices and the Fight to Continue
Nick was the first to confront the reality of program cuts. After hearing rumors that divers from other teams might lose their spots, he learned that Virginia’s roster limits-set at 30 athletes per team-made divers particularly vulnerable. Despite strong performances at the ACC championships, where Virginia’s women’s team secured its sixth consecutive conference title, the diving program was abruptly dismantled. Nick recounted the moment he was told: “They just canceled the entire dive team. It was a shock, and I immediately called Noah. We’d shared everything since childhood, and now this was no different.”
Similarly, Noah received a call from his coach asking him to meet-an ominous sign. The news was devastating: he was cut from the team. The emotional toll was profound; Noah described the following weeks as some of the darkest of his life, feeling aimless after all his hard work. The prospect of transferring to another school seemed nearly impossible, given the widespread nature of these program cuts across the country. Many athletes found themselves in a state of limbo, unsure of where they could continue their athletic pursuits.
Seeking Alternatives and Facing Reality
In an effort to retain Noah within the program, N.C. State’s coach offered him a volunteer assistant role-an option Noah declined, feeling it would be too difficult to stay involved without competing. He took a break from the pool, working as a lifeguard during the summer, and told friends and family he was done with competitive diving-though uncertainty lingered. Meanwhile, Nick remained hopeful, exploring transfer options through the NCAA’s transfer portal, which was flooded with top-tier talent seeking new homes. His family described the process as a roller coaster, with daily fluctuations between hope and disappointment.
The Broader Impact and the Fight for Fairness
Throughout this tumultuous period, the Wanzers and countless other families faced mounting challenges. Nancy recounted how many athletes in the transfer portal seemed to have nowhere to go, despite interest from coaches. The timing of the settlement-coinciding with the end of the academic year-added urgency and complexity. Nick and Noah’s family prepared for the worst, securing housing and considering options across the country. They even contemplated paying for multiple accommodations until a decision was made, as most of their expenses were out-of-pocket due to the lack of athletic scholarships.
Across the nation, similar stories emerged: Utah’s women’s beach volleyball program was discontinued, Grand Canyon’s men’s volleyball team was cut, and Washington State eliminated all field events from its track and field roster. In response, athletes and advocates have been lobbying Congress and sports governing bodies, emphasizing that diving is an Olympic sport deserving of recognition and protection. Representatives from USA Diving, including Olympians and officials, have traveled to Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to safeguard the sport’s future and ensure athletes like Nick and Noah are not left behind in the shifting landscape of college athletics.
Decisions Made Under Pressure
As the summer progressed, Nick faced a pivotal choice. After visiting Hawaii for an official recruiting visit, he received an offer from the university’s diving coach. The decision was agonizing: uproot his life to continue competing thousands of miles from home or stay at Virginia, where he already had stability and support. Ultimately, Nick chose to remain at Virginia, a decision announced just before the new athletic year began. Both brothers plan to stay at their respective schools, hopeful that future changes might restore opportunities for their sport.
The Twin Bond and the Art of Synchronized Diving
When Nick and Noah first competed, their parents joked about their natural advantage-being twins meant they could excel at synchronized diving. Noah believed that their ability to perform a move called a gainer-a backward somersault executed while moving forward-was where their synergy shone brightest. Watching them dive in perfect mirror image, it was easy to see that nothing matched the harmony and safety of performing together. Their shared journey exemplifies the unique bond that twin athletes often bring to the sport, blending trust, precision, and a deep connection that elevates their performance to an art form.