Burgering and Cotton Honored at International Swimming Hall of Fame

Two members of the USA Diving community were inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2021, Olympic Diver and Coach Dave Burgering and Master's Diver David Cotton.

Burgering was the recipient of the 25th Annual Paragon award for competitive diving, sponsored by Pentair Aquatic Systems. The Paragon Awards are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics in six categories, including Competitive Diving.

Burgering competed on the U.S.A. Diving National Team from 1977-1984 and was he a member of the 1980 USA Olympic Team that boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games Burgering became the head diving coach of Swimming Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Pool, where he currently coaches. He has coached over 169 Junior National finalists, which include 30 gold medalists at the Junior National level and 11 Senior National gold medalists. He is the past President of USA Diving, was the 2008 U.S. Olympic Diving Coach, and has been a member of the USA Diving Coaching staff for numerous other events, including Grand Prix events, World Series and Junior Pan-Am Games.

Longtime Masters Diver, Cotton was also recognized for his outstanding achievements. Cotton has competed in USA Masters Nationals since 1992, has competed in the Pan Am Masters, the Masters World Games and eight FINA World Championships, winning 26 World Championship medals:  11 gold, 12 silver and three bronzes.  He has set two world records.