Holbrook Brings Diving National Championship To MIT; MIT's Orji Sets National Record in the Weight Throw
Smith College Diver Shanti Freitas Finished Second and Third in 1M and 3M Diving

MIT first-year Doria Holbrook won the national title in three-meter diving at the NCAA Division III Women's Swimming and Diving Championships after securing the bronze in the one-meter event just two days earlier. Not to be outdone, MIT junior Uzoma Orji powered the Engineers at the NCAA Division III Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships, setting a national record en route to first place in the weight throw.

Holbrook totaled a score of 453.40 in the three-meter diving competition, easily outpacing second-place Kate Shaw of Amherst College (435.80). Her win ensured MIT's second national champion in swimming and diving, joining Yvonne Grierson, who won several events at the 1990 championship. After the three-day meet in Holland, Mich., Holbrook was named NCAA Diver of the Meet, while head diving coach Brad Snodgrass was named NCAA Diving Coach of the Year.

Shanti Freitas of Smith College also shone at the National Diving Championships, earning second place on the 1M Springboard, and third place on the 3M Springboard.

In neighboring Bloomington, Ill., Uzoma Orji won a national title for the second year in a row. After fouling on his first two attempts in trials, Orji had only one chance to make the finals in the 35-pound weight throw. With his last toss, presumably a safety throw, Orji set a national record of 64'9.25", paving the way for Tech's second national title on the weekend.

Holbrook finished third overall in one-meter diving, while Orji closed in fourth for the shot put. Both athletes earned two All-America honors, while becoming just the second pair of individual national champions at MIT in one year.

MIT enjoyed an unprecedented achievement by sponsoring two national champions in the same academic year during 2004 (Orji - shot put, Evan Tindell - ITA National Champion in men's tennis).