Alex Rovello Drowns: College Tennis Player Attempted 60-Foot Dive Into 37 Frigid Water
College tennis player Alex Rovello was killed Saturday after attempting a 60-foot diving stunt in frigid waters.
University of Oregon junior Alex Rovello was with friends near Tamolitch Falls in Willamette National Forest when he decided to make a daring jump. Rovello attempted a 60-foot dive into the water, but failed to surface, friends told the local new.
The swimming hole, located in western Oregon, was approximately two miles from where one friend claimed they were able to call for help. Rovello hit his face and chest on the water during the dive, witnesses told KTVB.com. Friends attempted to rescue Rovello after he failed to surface from the water, but struggled against 37-degree water.
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Other college students commonly frequented the swimming hole where the 21-year-old attempted the lethal jump. Police confirmed that alcohol was not a factor in the accident, the local report said.
Rovello was a tennis player for the college team and admired by many, one administrator said.
"Alex was so much more than a dedicated and exemplary student-athlete at the University of Oregon," Director of Athletics Rob Mullens said on goducks.com. "He was a son, a friend, a teammate, a leader, whose warm personality brought everyone together and whose contributions to the extended Oregon community will resonate long after today. On behalf of the UO family, we extend our sympathies to Alex's family, and we will honor his memory each and every day."
The player's tennis coach also offered comfort to Rovello's family.
"The Oregon tennis family is devastated by the loss of Alex," Nils Schyllander, Head Men's Tennis Coach, told the college site. "He was an amazing person and teammate and his spirit will live on forever with all of us who were fortunate enough to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Geri and Jim Rovello, and to the entire family."
