A Celebration of Champions

The University of Miami’s three individual national champions—Krista Simkins, left, (women’s track and field) and Brittany Viola and Reuben Ross (diving)—were honored at a reception last week at the University Center for their title-winning achievements. After words of thanks from each of the student-athletes, President Donna E. Shalala commended each on their accomplishments and thanked their coaches, Amy Deem (track and field) and Randy Ableman (diving), for all their hard work. Simkins won the NCAA National Title in the indoor 400-meter dash in Fayetteville, Arkansas on March 15. Viola captured the platform event at the 2008 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbus, Ohio on March 22,2008, and Ross won the three-meter springboard title at the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship in Federal Way, Washington on March 29, 2008.