The Tech’s Athlete of the Week: Doria M. Holbrook ’08
The Tech’s Athlete of the Week: Doria M. Holbrook ’08
On Sunday, Oct. 19, former MIT diving sensation Doria M. Holbrook ’08 was honored as a semifinalist for the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Unquestionably the greatest diver in the history of the MIT program, Holbrook’s selection as a semifinalist capped an amazing career highlighted by numerous records and individual achievements.
Holbrook’s list of accomplishments is both extensive and impressive. A two-time NCAA national champion in three-meter diving, Holbrook finished her career with eight All-America honors as she earned national awards in both diving events all four years.
The 2005 NCAA Diver of the Year, Holbrook was also a three-time NEWMAC Diver of the Year and a six-time NEWMAC champion. She owns NEWMAC open and championship records in both one- and three-meter diving while she established the highest score in three-meter diving by a Division III diver in the history of the NCAA at the 2008 NEWMAC Championships.
Holbrook, who was also a three-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America selection, graduated with a 3.88 grade-point average while majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
The NCAA established the Woman of the Year award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. The award is unique because it not only recognizes the athletic achievements of outstanding young women, but also their academic achievements, community service, and leadership.
From 130 conference and independent honorees, the selection committee chose 30 women — 10 from each NCAA division — as semifinalists before selecting three finalists from each division. Holbrook marks the first MIT semifinalist since gymnast Lisa Arel ’92 in 1992.
—James Kramer, DAPER Staff