By Tamas Mondovics
Competing at its first meet since inception on April 1, 2013, the Team Colwill Diving program, organized and operated by the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC), reported an excellent showing at the two-day WCF Christmas Invitational held earlier this month in Orlando.
In the seven and under division, BSAC’s Aiden Sadler took two gold medals in the three-meter and the one-meter dives, while teammate Jesse Mazen in the 14-18 age division took first place in the three-meter dive.
Joining the program’s success in the 12-13 age group was Alaina Hall who took second place in the one-meter while Caitlin Romberger took fifth.
In the 14-18 age group, Gen Lefebvre earned third place in the one-meter while Kayla McComb took fifth.
BSAC spokesperson, Lori Bukaweski, spoke highly of the program’s success while participating in its very first competition.
“Under the direction of Olympian, Chris Colwill, all divers gained valuable experience and some reached the medal stand for the very first time,” she said.
BSAC could have hardly asked for a better qualified athlete to direct the center’s Blue Wave diving program as it welcomed two-time Olympian Chris Colwill, a Brandon area native, who himself trained at BSAC from his early youth through his high school years.
Colwill attended the University of Georgia where he was the 2006 NCAA Diver of the Year and has earned medals at the NCAA Championships, SEC Championships, U.S. Open, Canadian Cup and FINA World Championships.
“I am truly excited to be back home, get back to my roots and help kids get better at something I really love,” Colwill said during an interview prior to the start of the program.
BSAC Executive Director, Chuck Burgess, emphasized the center’s choice of Colwill and the benefits the new program had for the Brandon community.
“Chris’ presence and expertise as an Olympian coming back to his roots and home community highlight what the facility is really about as it serves its members,” Burgess said. For more information on Team Colwill Diving, please call 689-0908 or visit www.mybsac.org.
