July 6, 2008

(UTSports.com) -- Former Tennessee diver Jevon Tarantino was named to the United States? Olympic team Monday after competing throughout last week at the Olympic Team Selection Camp in Knoxville. Tarantino is one of 12 divers who will represent the United States in Beijing, China later this summer.

Tarantino will compete in the synchronized 3-meter springboard with former Georgia diver Chris Colwill.

?It was great to come back here,? Tarantino said. ?I had a lot of people support me here at UT, and I really can't explain how it feels to be named to the Olympic team. I need to thank Dave Parrington, who coached me here. I really don't have the words to describe it.?

Tarantino is the 19th Olympian who also competed for the Vol swimming & diving team. He was the 2004 SEC and NCAA champion in 1-meter diving.

The Olympic synchronized 3-meter competition is scheduled for August 13.