UM Swimming & Diving Welcomes Former Athletes to Reception
April 8, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami swimming & diving program welcomes back all former student-athletes for a special reception on Saturday, April 9, at the Norman A Whitten University Center Pool on the UM campus beginning at 4 p.m.
All former student-athletes are encouraged to attend the event, which is set to honor all former swimmers (male and female) and divers throughout the historic program that includes two women’s team national championships (1975, ’76), and more than 75 women’s All-Americans and 23 National Champions.
Some of the names set to return to the Coral Gables campus – presented by the Hurricane Club – include nine-time All-American Bryan Gillooly (men’s diving), three-time All-American Jenna Dreyer (women’s diving) and former swimming coach Sid Cassidy.
Legendary swimming coach Bill Diaz is also expected to attend.
All student-athletes and coaches from the 2010-11 UM swimming and diving team will be in attendance.
Most recently, redshirt senior Brittany Viola (Orlando, Fla.) concluded her UMiami career as one of the most decorated student-athletes in history, winning two national titles. Most recently, Viola collected the NCAA Women’s 10-meter diving national championship, in addition to the USA Winter Diving National Championship in the sane event.
In swimming action during the 2010-11 campaign, Annika Saarnak – a recent competitor at the Women’s NCAA’s – served as the first swimmer in just under a decade to compete at the NCAA’s, and the first student-athlete under head swimming coach Christie Shefchunas. Carrie Dragland achieved All-American diving honors for the `Canes and veteran head coach Randy Ableman.
All in attendance are encouraged to attend the evening’s nightcap – the baseball contest between Miami and NC State at Alex Rodriguez Park at 7. During that contest, the University of Miami Athletics Department and baseball program will honor the 2001 NCAA College World Series Championship team that stormed through the postseason en route to the school’s fourth baseball national title, winning the last 17 games of the season.
For more information on the University of Miami swimming & diving team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats and information regarding the Hurricanes swimming & diving program.
Fans can keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports. You can also become a fan of the ‘Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.
