Virginia to Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day on Sunday

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Feb. 8, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – On Sunday, Feb. 11, the Virginia Athletics Department will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day by honoring 21 women who have participated in varsity intercollegiate athletics for the University. These 21 women, ten sets of siblings, represent ten of the varsity sports offered as part of the Cavalier athletics program.

All will be recognized at halftime of the basketball game between Virginia and Maryland at the John Paul Jones Arena. Tip-off is slated for 12:30 p.m.

The day is planned in conjunction with the official National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 7. National Girls and Women in Sports Day began in 1986 to honor the talents and accomplishments of volleyball great Flo Hyman, who was a leading activist for equality in women’s sports. Hyman died in 1986 at the age of 32. The day brings national attention to the achievements of female athletes and to issues facing girls and women in sport. The event at the Virginia event is co-sponsored by the Athletics Department and the Women’s Center.

Since 1973 the University of Virginia has sponsored varsity athletics teams for women. These student-athletes have been an integral part of the Cavalier athletics family for the past 35 years. Virginia’s women’s teams have been comprised of over 1000 women, won six national titles, been honored with over 400 All-Americans, won over 20 ACC titles, and won over 3000 contests. The 21 women to be honored have played a significant role in helping their teammates achieve these milestones.

Honorees

BASKETBALL:
Heidi Burge Horton (1990-93)

Three-time member of the ACC Academic Honor RollThree-time ACC Champion

Heather Burge Quella (1990-93)Two-time Academic All-American1993 ACC Player of the Year2nd in UVa history for career points

FIELD HOCKEY:
Michelle Vizzuso Crawford (1995-98)Career record for games playedCareer record for assistsUS National Team

Lorraine Vizzuso Castle (1997-00)Craig Fielder Memorial AwardAll-ACC, All-ACC TournamentSixth all-time in points scored

GOLF:
Ashley Mayo (2004-07)Member of UVa’s first recruiting classACC All-Academic honorMember of UVa’s first NCAA team

Kira Mayo (2004-07)Member of UVa’s first recruiting classACC All-Academic honorMember of UVa’s first NCAA team

LACROSSE:
Julie Williams (1983-86)National Hall of FameWorld Champion, 1989 & 1993Two-time All-American

Susie Williams Trautwein (1986-89)US National Team, 1989 & 1991All-South, 1989Member of UVa’s first NCAA team

ROWING:
Beth Clark (2002-05)2005 Academic All-ACCStroke for 2V8 that won the 2005 NCAA Championship

Tammy Clark Mehta (2000-03)Three-time Academic All-ACCMember of V8 crew that finished fifth at the 2003 NCAA Championship

SOCCER:
Kristin DiMillio (1992-95)1995 All-RegionalGraduated No. 7 in career pointsGraduated No. 7 in career goals

Tracy DiMillio (1988-91)No. 10 all-time in goals and pointsNo. 3 all-time in game-winning assists1989-1991 All-Regional

SOFTBALL:
Kristen Dennis (1999-02)Only two-time softball All-American2002 ACC Player of the YearNo. 21 jersey is retired

Lauren Dennis (2002-05)Four-year ACC Academic Honor RollTeam captain in 2005Played in 213 career games

SWIMMING:
Margaret Martin Williamson (1990-91)NCAA QualifierACC Honor Roll

Maureen Martin Smith (1981-84)NCAA Regional QualifierSet school record in 1 meter diving

Julie Elizabeth Martin (1989-91)NCAA Zone QualifierSet school record in 3 meter diving

TENNIS:
Cheri O’Donnell Downing (1975-78)Team captain, 1977 & 1978Virginia state singles championVirginia state doubles finalist

Keri O’Donnell Nimitz (1975-78)Team captain, 1977 & 1978Virginia state singles finalistVirginia state doubles finalist

VOLLEYBALL:
Emily Sarah Kirkwood (2004- 07)AVCA honorable mention All-America2006 First Team All-ACCCareer record for service aces

Sarah Kirkwood (2005-present)Academic All-America First TeamThree time All-ACC honoree2005 AVCA honorable mention