Swimming & Diving
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant Diving Coach
- Phone:
- 205-348-3600
Gavrilo Blijden joined the Alabama swimming and diving staff prior to the 2020-21 season as a volunteer diving coach, before becoming a graduate assistant coach for the 2021-22 season.
In 2022, he coached Tanesha Lucoe to the Southeastern Conference platform championship and a place at the NCAA Championships. He also coached Kevin Li to All-America honors off the 1-meter board and Mohamed Farouk to a spot at the NCAA Championships.
In his first season, the Crimson Tide's diving contingent Tanesha Lucoe took silver off the platform at the Southeastern Conference Championships. Lucoe and Kevin Li earned spots at the women's and men's NCAA Championships for the second year in a row in 2021 after strong showings at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships.
Prior to the start of his coaching career, Blijden helped lead East Carolina to the 2020 American Athletic Conference title, reaching the championship final of the 1-meter springboard and platform. The 2019-20 ECU Coaches Award winner and team captain, Blijden also earned CSCAA Scholar All-America honors during his career.
The Willemstad, Curacao, native started his collegiate career at Indian River State College, leading team to back-to-back NJCAA titles in 2017 and 2018. Blijden won the 2018 NJCAA 3-meter championship off the 3-meter board. He was also named the NJCAA Diver of the Year in 2018 and served as team captain that same year.
After earning his associated degree in biology from Indiana River State in 2018, he earned his bachelor's degree in health promotion and education in 2020 from East Carolina, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public health.
