Aidan Faminoff, a member of Florida State’s swimming and diving team who is openly gay, won the ACC Diver of the Week award after getting his first springboard victory, the school announced.
Faminoff earns his first ACC Male Diver of the Week honor of his career after a first and fourth place finish on the boards Saturday against ACC foes Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh.
The Victoria B.C., Canada, native earned his first career springboard victory as he won the 1-meter with a score of 311.65, edging out Matt Casillas of Georgia Tech.
Faminoff would follow up his victory by placing fourth in the 3-meter with a score of 306.00. His 306.00 score placed 20.55 higher than the next competitor and was among three Noles who finished in the top four in the event.
Faminoff’s teammate Molly Carlson won the award for female divers.
Faminoff, a junior who told his coming out story on Outsports a year ago, might have the largest social media presence of any collegiate diver, with 85,000 Instgram followers. He has said that being openly gay has made him perform better.
Coming out has made me a better athlete because I am more comfortable and coming into my true self. I am growing into the person I always wanted to be, and this has corresponded with my attitude about diving.
I am a better teammate because I am comfortable being around my team. Their acceptance has helped a lot because they are supportive and welcoming.
Aidnan Faminoff can be reached via Instagram (@AidanFaminoff) or Facebook: Aidan Faminoff.
