Aug. 31, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Most South Carolina freshman athletes are getting acquainted with college life during their first few weeks on campus, but not Cole Miller.

Miller, a member of the Gamecocks swimming and diving team, will be representing team Canada in the 5th UANA Junior Pan American Diving Championships on Sept. 5-12 in Medellin, Colombia. Miller qualified for the international event by winning the 1-meter at the Canadian junior diving championships in July. He will also be competing in the 3-meter at the event.

“It was exciting to win the 1-meter at nationals,” said Miller, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. “That would have been my last junior event, but now that I made this it will be my last junior event, so that’s kind of special that it’s international and I’m competing for my home country. I’m just looking forward to the events and see what the Pan Am countries have to offer.”

Miller enters the championships with an impressive resume with the Regina Diving Club. He currently holds seven provincial records and has finished in the top 10 at every Canadian junior national since 2003. Miller is a two-time national champion, winning the 1-meter and 3-meter in 2006, and he was awarded Saskatchewan’s Youth Male Athlete of the Year honor in 2006.

Miller is confident heading into the championships after going through a grueling workout regimen during the summer in Canada in preparation for this moment as he spent three hours a day for five days a week working out.

“I think I have the potential to win, but I’m just going to do the best I can and have fun and get the international experience and see what I can do on that level,” Miller said.

South Carolina diving coach Todd Sherritt believes Miller has the talent to compete with anybody at the Junior Pan American Championships.

“It’s a great experience for him,” Sherritt said. “Anytime you qualify for a something like this, you are world-class. Coming into our program as a world-class athlete is a huge advantage not just experience wise but it means he has a little bit of polish to his game. I have great expectations for Cole. He has a unique style, and I won’t be surprised if he will be in position to win the whole thing.”

Miller is anxious to get to Medellin and start competing but he is also ready to get his Gamecock career underway. He believes his experience at the international level will pay huge dividends for him down the road.

“I think it will help a lot,” he said. “It will boost my confidence and show me what I can do.”