Colorado School of Mines Brings Back Diving Program
The Colorado School of Mines has brought back men’s and women’s diving this season for the Division II program.
The Orediggers already have their new divers enrolled, with Bruno Albertoni and Gabi Batol competing. Both are freshmen in terms of eligibility, though Batol is in her second year at the school. Katherine Andrie is the coach. The pair is the first divers for Mines “in more than a decade.”
“Returning a program with such rich history is a truly special opportunity,” Colorado School of Mines Director of Athletics David Hansburg said in a press release. “Having divers back in an Oredigger uniform provides additional opportunities for conference and national recognition, enhances the overall Mines experience, and bolsters one of the best departments in all of NCAA Division II.”
Mines has produced 12 diving All-Americans, including 1981 NCAA champion Rick Williamson, on 1-meter and 3-meter. Williamson, former diving coach Bob McCandless and the 1983 women’s swimming and diving and 1981-84 men’s swimming and diving teams are all in the school’s athletics hall of fame.
Albertoni competed at Highlands Ranch High and Mile High Dive Club, diving at USA Junior Nationals from 2021-24. Batol competed at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea, winning gold at the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Championships and finishing fourth in the state.
Andrie has a long history with the school, with two children who attended Mines (Marty Andrie was a nine-time cross country and track All-American who helped the Orediggers to the 2015 NCAA Division II NCAA title in cross country.) Katherine Andrie has coached at Denver area high schools, including Valor Christian, Littleton, Smoky Hill and Douglas County.
“I am honored to be chosen to re-launch the diving program at Mines,” Andrie said. “The Orediggers have long been known for their reputation of excellence in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and the return of diving will compliment a talented pool of coaches and student-athletes already in the program. I am excited to see some very talented divers jumping into this season and the next. Bruno Albertoni and Gabi Batol are eager to show off their talent and Oredigger spirit by representing Mines at the conference and national level. This will be a fantastic and fun year for Colorado School of Mines swimming & diving.”
“Bringing diving back has been a long-term vision for this program, and I am ecstatic that 2025 is the year diving returns to Mines,” head swim coach Claire McDaniel said. “I cannot thank Coach Andrie enough for being so wonderful to work with as we navigate this new venture. She is an excellent diving coach and has an invigorating passion and excitement for Mines and diving. Swimming plus diving is true synergy, and I’m excited to see how Mines diving grows over the coming years.”
