BRANDY BLAKELY- COUTINHO

2023 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

           

 It is our honor to welcome Brandi Blakely- Coutinho, who was nominated by Kevin Salisbury, RIAHOF Inductee (1993).

Brandi, while living in East Providence as a child, competed for the Kendbrin Swim and Tennis Club, East Providence Boys and Girls Club, East Bay Aquatic Club, and the East Providence High School. As an age group swimmer, Brandi set many 8 & Under, 9-10, and 11-12 records for both East Providence Boys and Girls Club in the Rhode Island South East Massachusetts League (RIMA) and the Kendbrin Swim and Tennis during the Narragansett Summer Swim League.  In her teenage years, Brandi excelled in the sprint freestyle and butterfly events. In 1991 she was a member of the USS New England Zone Team and Swimming World Magazine listed her as a member of the 200 Medley Relay team that finished 15th in the United States.     

Through her four years as a Townie, Brandi continued to excel. In 1997, she earned 1st Team All-State Honors in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly.  In the same year she was a member of the 400 Free Relay that took 1st Team All-State honors and was a member of 200 Medley Relay team that finished 2nd team All- State. She was recognized by the Pawtucket Times for the All-Area Girls Swim Team in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly.  Brandi was also a member of the 1996 Ireland Scholar Athlete Games held on the Jordanstown Campus of the University of Ulster. In addition, she enjoyed the dubious distinction of joining her brother Corey (RIAHOF Inductee, 2016) as the first ever brother / sister duo ever to earn All-State honors for two individual events in the same year.

Brandi surely was an outstanding and talented swimmer from an early age through high school. She swam under four RIAHOF inductees during her career – Barry Fontaine, Kevin Salisbury, Dave Collins, and Sandy Gorham. Each coach had high praise for her hard work, determination, and team leadership ability. Brandi attended Rhode Island College and while swimming at the collegiate level was not an option, she excelled in volleyball at RIC. Her age group records, and high school achievements were outstanding on the local, New England, High School, and Junior National Level.

Brandi now resides in Cumberland, Rhode Island and is enjoying the role of swim team parent.