WILBRAHAM — Minnechaug Regional High School student and Wilbraham resident Collin Purcell was one of 100 student divers named All-American for high school level boys one meter diving by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association of America.
Purcell was officially named for this achievement in June after competing in multiple competitions throughout his diving season. The selection celebrates his freshman year of diving, which ran from July 2023 to early 2024, Springfield Area Diving Head Coach Pete Avdoulos told Reminder Publishing.
In order to be named All-American, divers first needed to be eligible for the nomination under the requirements of NISCA, including earning a specific number of points at competitions. After qualifying, divers or their coaches then submit an application for consideration which includes videos of dives from previous competitions. These dives are then judged by a panel and 100 divers are selected for All-American, Avdoulos explained.
During his freshman year, Purcell competed for both his high school and the Springfield Area Diving program, which is based in Springfield College. He began the season with Springfield Area Diving by winning third place at the AAU National Diving Championship in the 1- and 3-meter springboard events, ultimately placing for the 40th Annual Diving Lund competition in Sweden where he placed 12th, Avdoulos stated.
Following his training with Springfield Area Diving, Purcell qualified and won first at both the Central/West Swimming and Diving Championships and Division II State Championships, Avdoulos said. During this time, he additionally surpassed Minnechaug High School’s 6-dive and 11-dive records.
“For those of us who watched the recent Olympics, we are reminded that diving scores come down to ‘Degree of Difficulty’ and ‘Execution,’” Avdoulos explained, stating that “Purcell executed beautifully on a difficult dive, a forward 1 1/2 Somersault with 2 Twists to seal the win [at State Championships].”
Purcell first began diving seven years ago after transitioning from gymnastics at a friend’s suggestion, he said. He highlighted that he planned to continue diving throughout high school career. Currently a sophomore, Purcell also continues to train with Springfield Area Diving.
Within the Boys One Meter Diving list, only four divers were named All-American in New England. Purcell and Vann Hotchkiss of Needham represented Massachusetts within this list while Griffin Casey of Wilton and Finnerty Moynahan of Fairfield represented Connecticut, according to NISCA. In addition to Purcell, eight other ninth grade male divers were selected for All-American, representing Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, NISCA stated.
In Girls One Meter Diving, Lucy Savarese of Wellesley was the only female Massachusetts nomination. Grace Wu of Greenwich and Emma Kelly of New Canaan represented Connecticut, according to NISCA.
“It is a big honor,” Purcell said, stating that he was “very happy” to hear of the nomination.
When asked about the moment that he was most proud of during his freshman season, Purcell highlighted his performance at the Division II State Championships in February. He explained how he was initially behind during the competition but was able to pull ahead during the final dives, ultimately scoring the highest dive of the competition and winning the Scott H. Pomerleau Memorial High Point Diving Award.
“He’s a special kid,” Avdoulos said of Purcell, noting that he had a “bright future ahead of him.”
