According to the denverpost.com, an Eaglecrest senior, Devin Bellamy, recorded the third best effort on Colorado record at the Dick Rush Memorial swimming meet in Thornton last weekend. Bellamy scored a total of 585.40 points in the meet. The only better scores were posted by diver Kyle Goodwin from Regis Jesuit, who scored a total of 611.85 back in 2015, and a diver from Arapahoe, Aaron Feight, who scored a total of 608.20 back in 2005.

As a kid, Bellamy had five ankle surgeries due to flat feet, a genetic problem that requires bolts to be placed in both ankles. Before he decided to try out for the diving team, he tried out for the swim team. He later decided that swimming was not for him.

After making the diving team, Bellamy qualified for the state meet when he was a freshman. As a sophomore he was fifth runner up a year ago to Goodwin. The senior trains six days a week in both the Meyers Pool in Jefferson County and at the Air Force Academy pool.

“He is always working hard and focusing on what skills he needs improvement on,” junior Matthew Sau said. “ He is always trying his hardest in making sure each dive is done well.”

Along with Bellamy’s diving achievements, he has also made many strides in the academic field. Bellamy has a 4.11 grade point average and is planning on studying neurology at North Carolina. He also plans to continue his diving career there. He turned down opportunities to go to the Ivy League schools and took trips to Northwestern, Virginia, Ohio State and Duke.

Bellamy was named the Hoyt Brawner award winner at last weekend’s meet for being the sport’s most outstanding senior competitor, scholar and citizen.

Smoky Hill has had three divers recording scores in the top 10 scores of all time. Of the former Buff divers, Taylor Roberts, continued his diving career at Indiana, and Doogie Cohen went on to dive at Hawaii.

“Its nice to see him be one of the top three in Colorado, he has worked hard and deserves to be there.” Sau said.