The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/7/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy Georgia Sports Communications Chris Colwill was selected for the U.S. Olympic team.

Former Georgia diver Chris Colwill was among the 12 divers nominated for the United States Olympic Team by USA Diving on Monday following a five-day selection camp in Knoxville, Tenn.

Georgia diving coach Dan Laak also will serve as an assistant coach at the Olympics.

"This is something that Chris and I have been working on for the past five years, so we're both excited and thrilled," Laak said. "It's an amazing experience, going through the Trials and being selected for the team, and it's only just beginning. I am so proud of Chris. It means so much to me to have him in the Olympics."

Colwill will compete at the Beijing Games in two events - the 3-meter springboard and the synchronized 3-meter with Jevon Tarantino.

The appointments of Colwill and Laak further boosted the number of representatives of the Georgia swimming and diving program at the Olympics.

Jack Bauerle will serve as the head coach of the U.S. women's swimming team, Gil Stovall and Allison Schmitt qualified for the American teams, Sebastien Rouault will compete for France, and Neil Versfeld, Troyden Prinsloo and Wendy Trott will swim for South Africa. Additionally, former swimmer Sheila Taormina will become the first American woman to compete in three Olympics in three different sports (1996 swimming; 2000 triathlon; 2008 modern pentathlon).

"We are just so proud of everyone who has been named to Olympic teams," Bauerle said. "It takes a great deal of commitment, dedication and hard work, and all of these people deserve these appointments. We all are very proud to be representing our nations and the University of Georgia."

- Georgia Sports Communications

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