Miami Honors Former Head Coach Bill Diaz before Meet against FAU
Nov. 5, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami swimming and diving team alongside alumni honored retired Hall of Fame swimming coach Bill Diaz in a dedication ceremony before the Hurricanes’ defeated in-state rival Florida Atlantic 164 to 136.
The swimming and diving squad along with alumni began a fundraising campaign last summer to fund a poolside electronic scoreboard in Diaz’s name. An inscription on the new scoreboard will read “In honor of Coach Bill Diaz.”
Over 60 former swimmers and divers attended the event, which also honored Hall of Fame swimmer Matt Gribble, who died tragically in March of this year. The fundraiser also purchased a commemorative plaque listing Gribble’s many accomplishments in Miami and in International competition.
“I want to thank all the swimmers for coming,” said Bill Diaz. “We have a big reunion of over 60 swimmers and divers here. I want to tell you that this effort was a huge success. We raised over $32, 000 for the new scoreboard, the new lane lines and the plaque in honor of Matt Gribble.”
After the ceremony, the Hurricanes won 11 of the meet’s 16 events, including the 400-yard freestyle relay and both diving events, to win the meet.
Senior Manon van Rooijen swept the sprint freestyle events, winning the 50-yard freestyle (24.70), the 100-yard freestyle (52.33) and anchoring the first place 400-yard freestyle relay.
Fellow senior Katalin Ferenzci also took home first in all the backstroke events, winning the 100-yard backstroke (58.16), less than a second off her school record time, and the 200-yard backstroke in a time of 2:04.88.
Sophomore Nancy Gajos won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.71 while freshman Taylor McFarlane touched first in the 200-yard freestyle at 1:53. 78.
Freshman Lauren Shue continues her strong distance performances, winning the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 17:13.27–nearly thirty seconds faster than the second place finisher.
Shue also took second in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.34) and third in the 200-yard butterfly (2:10.72).
The Hurricanes return to action when they host Florida State and Indian River Community College Friday, November 12th at the Norman Whitten Student Union Pool.
