Feb. 7, 2007

NEWARK, NJ - Record-setting swimmer and scholar-athlete Ana Ossa will represent New Jersey Institute of Technology as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), with New Jersey ceremonies to be held at halftime of Sunday's women's basketball game between Seton Hall and Villanova in South Orange, NJ.

Ossa, a native of Bogota, Colombia graduated from NJIT in January 2007 with a degree in electrical engineering. He cumulative grade point average at graduation was 3.919.

By far the finest female swimmer in school history, she completed her intercollegiate career in 2005-06 and was honored as NJIT's Female Athlete of the Year in each of the last three years.

She completed her career as the holder of 16 of 17 individual school records, lacking only the mark in the 50-yard freestyle. She set and re-set the record for most of the events many time.

At the Metropolitan championships in her senior year, she scored points in all three events that she entered, setting new school records each time.

She continues to serve the swim program as its assistant coach in 2006-07.

NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports.

February 11, 2007 marks the 21st annual celebration of NGWSD and the 15th annual celebration of the day in New Jersey. The tradition began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman, who was stricken and died in 1986 of Marfan's Syndrome in the middle of a great volleyball career. Hyman was also known as a tireless advocate for equality for women's sports.

Nationally, a coalition of organizations with a membership reach of 5.5 million girls and women, organize the annual celebration.