Wingate University men's swimming alumnus Marko Blazevski (Skopje, Macedonia) will represent his home country of Macedonia in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The three-time NCAA national champion and three-time Academic All-America will swim the 200 Individual Medley during the Rio games (August 5-21). Blazevski trains with Swim MAC in Charlotte.
"Marko was not included on the original Macedonian Olympic swimming roster," Wingate head swimming coach Kirk Sanocki says. "After a worldwide showing of support (for Marko), the Macedonian Olympic committee reversed its decision."
Blazevski carried the Macedonian flag in the opening ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics. At Wingate, Blazevski won the 400 Individual Medley national title for the third time in four years at the 2014 NCAA Division II national swimming championships. For his illustrious WU career, Blazevski collected 16 NCAA All-American trophies (12 individual, four relay) and four honorable mention laurels (four individual swims).
"Marko epitomizes the attributes of hard work, consistency and excellent attitude," Sanocki says. "All great athletes possess these qualities. Marko uses these attributes as his compass."
"The fact that Marko is a student of the sport is very important to remember," Sanocki says. "Our fervent hope is how he performs (in Rio) will inspire young Macedonians to get involved in swimming. Marko desires to move the swimming culture in his country to the next level."
The 2014 J. Howard Williams Award winner for Wingate University Male Athlete of the Year, Blazevski won four awards at Wingate's 2014 WUSPYS gala, including Best Championship Performance. Blazevski graduated magna cum laude with a Finance degree at Wingate's 2014 commencement exercises.
Blazevski won four All-American distinctions in three individual events and one relay as Wingate finished eighth at the 2014 NCAA Division II national meet. The Bulldogs won their seventh straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship as Blazevski won the 200 Butterfly, the 500 Freestyle and the 400 Individual Medley events in 2014.
In 2013, Blazevski was an All-American in the 1000 Freestyle, the 400 IM, the 200 Butterfly and the 800 Free Relay as Wingate finished sixth at the NCAAs. Blazevski and his teammates finished fifth at the 2012 and 2011 NCAA meets. He is an All-BMC performer 16 times in his career with nine league titles (eight individual, one relay).
