March 10, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Who was the only diver to earn three All-America titles at the 2007 NCAA Championships? None other than Boilermaker senior Amanda Miller.
You read correctly. Of the 40 or so divers in attendance at this week's national championship meet, only Miller possessed the necessary skills and versatility to finish among the top eight off the 1- and 3-meter springboards and platform tower.
Saturday night was Miller's final day donning the Old Gold and Black and she left at the top of her game, placing fourth off the tower with a personal best total of 314.50 points. Miller was fairly consistent through all five rounds, earning scores of 65.80, 54.00, 51.00, 67.20 and 76.50.
"It's nice to see when potential is realized," said Purdue diving coach Adam Soldati. "When I came here two years ago, I knew Amanda had all the talent - but it takes more than talent. It takes heart, desire and a strong work ethic. Amanda is a dream to coach and it's rewarding to see her reach her goals."
Jessica Livingston of Texas won the national title in platform with 357.85 points. Lindsay Weigle of Indiana came in second with 356.55 points, and Taryn Ignacio of Kentucky was third with 332.80 points.
Additionally, Miller's four career All-America citations tied former teammate Carrie McCambridge's record for most in program history.
Miller qualified for her third championship final of the weekend following a third-place and then-personal best prelim total of 312.30 points.
Although Miller's collegiate career has come to a close, she'll still continue to pursue a dream of reaching the Olympics. Soldati plans to have Miller concentrate on her 3-meter work in hopes of getting her to Olympic Trials. Along the way, Miller is expected to compete at both spring nationals and this August's World University Games.
Senior Carlene Takaki also left at the top of her game. The San Jose native became the first Boilermaker individual swimmer to score at NCAA's in four years with an 11th place and varsity record time of 1:58.09 in the 200 fly.
Takaki, who owned the previous varsity record of 1:58.72, lowered her personal best twice Saturday which included a prelim time of 1:58.58.
"I'm excited to have finally scored, but I'm sad since this was my last collegiate meet," said Takaki. "I'm going to keep training through Olympic Trials and then retire - unless, of course I make the Olympic team."
The last Boilermaker swimmer to score at NCAA's was Lindsay Lange in the 100 breaststroke in 2003. Kim Fritsch in 1994 was the last Purdue competitior to place among the top 16 in a butterfly event.
Takaki's and Miller's combined points were enough to give Purdue its third-consecutive top-25 finish at NCAA's. The Boilermakers finished in a tie for 20th with USC with 47 points, which established a program record.
"What a great way to end the meet," said Boilermaker head coach Cathy Wright-Eger. "A top-20 finish with the most points we've ever had, Carlene getting a varsity record, and Amanda scoring off all three boards - that's a statement."
Both coaches Soldati and Wright-Eger were very emotional afterwards. They were proud of their star athletes accomplishments, but sad that the four years had passed too quickly.
"We always have work to do, that's the nature of athletics," said Soldati. "Our seniors are gone, but we go back and bring up the next group to NCAA's. Emily (Wetzel) had some great dives this weekend and we look forward to getting her back to this level."
"We've always lost seniors after NCAA's, but we keep getting back here and finishing among the top 25, which is what we want for this program," said Wright-Eger. "Now, we go back to work - recruiting and working on the kids we have to try and get them here."