June 29, 2007

Coral Gables, Fla. - University of Miami women's tennis champion Audra Cohen accepted a proclamation today from a representative of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center, declaring Friday, June 29, 2007, as "Audra Cohen Day" in Miami-Dade County. The day is in recognition of Cohen winning the 2007 NCAA Women's Tennis Singles title.

"It is wonderful," commented Cohen. "I'm honored to have an entire day named after me. It's remarkable."

Chris Himmel, Aide to Mayor Alvarez, presented Cohen with the proclamation, as she was joined by her parents Richard and Mary Ann Cohen, as well as family who traveled from New Jersey.

A five-time All-American, Cohen is the first women's tennis player to ever win the national title at the University of Miami, defeating Southern California's Lindsey Nelson on May 28. After finishing the season with a 42-2 overall record, the Plantation, Fla. native received the 2007 Honda Sports Award for tennis, and earned back-to-back ITA National Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors.

"I'm proud of myself, the University and [head coach] Paige Yaroshuk-Tews' program," Cohen stated.

Cohen will continue her tennis career as she was among four collegians selected by the USTA to represent the United States at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Pan American Games is the world's second largest multi-sport event following the Olympic Games. The tennis competition will be held on the clay courts of the Marapendi Club from July 13-29.

This summer, Cohen will embark on a career in professional tennis, and is currently ranked No. 525 in the world.