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Colwill Appears Beijing Bound

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By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 6, 2008

After Chris Colwill completed his last individual dive at the U.S. Olympic Diving Team Selection Camp on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn., his parents say they went "a little insane."

It's understandable. Chuck and Debbie Colwill have spent 18 years watching their son dive in meets around the world - from their hometown in Brandon to faraway places like Australia, China and Europe. The goal all along was to one day watch Chris compete on the biggest stage in the world, the Olympic Games.

Suddenly, as Chris hit the water with a near-flawless final dive of the camp, they realized that dream would come true.

"All of the emotions that were welling up inside of us finally came out when we realized what Chris had done after that last dive," Chuck Colwill said. "We were hugging each other, crying and just high-fiving everyone in sight. It was crazy."

There's still the formality of the official announcement from USA Diving on Monday afternoon. But after Colwill won three out of four individual dive lists in 3-meter springboard and all four in synchronized with teammate Jevon Tarantino, it's a formality before Colwill is officially named to the squad.

"I really don't want to say anything until I actually see my name on the list but I feel my chances are very, very good," said Colwill, a Tampa Prep and University of Georgia graduate. "I did what I needed to do and I'm just so relieved it's over."

Colwill might be holding off celebrating, but his parents are not. They met with Chris and his coach, Dan Laak, on Saturday night in Knoxville for a special dinner and are making travel plans for the Beijing Games.
Laak said it would be "a travesty" if Colwill was not named to the Olympic squad Monday in both 3-meter individual springboard and synchro with Tarantino. But Laak also said he is confident there will be no issues.

Besides dominating the selection camp, Colwill was the runner-up at last month's Olympic trials to Troy Dumais in 3-meter individual and owns all other tiebreaking scenarios the selection committee will be reviewing Monday morning, including appearances at prior world cups and world championships.

"He's going to be on the Olympic team," said Laak, who will join Colwill in Beijing as part of the U.S. coaching staff. "I don't see how they could pick anyone else. This is something we've really worked hard for. It definitely wasn't given to us."

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456

or wward@tampatrib.com.

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