By Tamas Mondovics
Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham, District 4, was on hand at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center last month to present a commendation on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners to two-time Olympian diver Chris Colwill and Blue Wave swimmer Niko Milosavljevic.
Higginbotham first took a moment to recognize Milosavljevic, 13, for successfully representing BSAC’s Blue Wave Swim Team after placing third overall in his first open water marathon swim in Zadar, Croatia. Niko also earned a Silver medal in his age group.
“I am very proud of Niko for his commitment and success of representing his team and his community,” Higginbotham said.
The ceremony then gave attention to Colwill, a Brandon native, who started diving in 1990 and trained at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center and later attended Tampa Preparatory School and went on to join the Swimming and Diving team at the University of Georgia.
Colwill participated in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as well as the 2012 Olympics in London.
According BSAC officials, having officially retired after the Summer games in London, Colwill will develop the Blue Wave diving program at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center in March 2013.
“I am so proud to commend an outstanding athlete who calls Brandon home,” Higginbotham said. “I have no doubt his guidance and experience will result in future diving Olympians from our proud community.”
The ceremony took place following a free diving clinic instructed by Colwill for those members of the community interested in the sport.
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center is a non-profit center featuring a 50-meter competition pool, a 17.5 deep diving well, tennis courts and fitness room. More information on their programming can be found at www.mybsac.org/.
