December 4, 2007 - Burke Honored by the MAAC

December 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Swimming & Diving
Rider’s Burke MAAC Diver of Week, Again

LAWRENCEVILLE—For the fourth time this season, Rider University junior Amanda Burke was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Diver of the Week, for all competition November 27-December 3. 

Last week at the ‘Big Al’ Invitational, hosted by Princeton University, Burke (Churchville, Pa./William Tennent) won the one-meter dive (276.80) after placing second in the three-meter three (267.55), finishing ahead of a 2007 NCAA qualifier.

“Amanda defeated a diver that went to the NCAA's last year,” said Rider head coach Steve Fletcher.  “Her performance will give her a lot of confidence going into the dual meets in January and for the rest of the season.” 

The invitational, hosted by Princeton, the defending Ivy League champion, included Rider, Brown, Bucknell, Columbia, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Washington State and the host Tigers.

“Amanda did well,” said Rider diving coach Dennis Ceppa, a two-time MAAC Coach of the Year.  “She was consistent through out her events and I even think she could have done a little better in some of the dives.  Her first place finish was awesome.  She won the one-meter by less than a point and that's going to help her mentally.  There was no comfort level in the meet and she had to hit every dive and that simulates what it will be like at MAAC's and at the NCAA zone championships.”

-RU-