Allnutt Names Program Great as Men’s and Women’s Diving Coach

HONOLULU — University of Hawai'i swimming and diving head coach Steve Allnutt announced the hiring of QiongJie "Ajie" (Huang) Drew as the program's new men's and women's diving coach. Drew's addition to the coaching staff marks a return to her alma mater where she established herself as one of the most decorated Rainbow Wahine divers in program history.

"We are thrilled to bring Coach Ajie into our team," Alnutt said. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the diving world ranging from the NCAA system, to international competition and elite American competition. Our swimming-and-diving team will greatly benefit from her attitude and passion for people and excellence. As an alumna and UH Circle of Honor member, Coach Ajie knows how to find success at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex and we're proud to have her as the leader for our divers."

"I am truly humbled and honored to once again be a part of the University of Hawai'i swimming and diving program." Drew said.

Drew, a 2013 inductee into the UH Sports Circle of Honor, became Hawai'i's first national champion in diving when she won the 1-meter springboard title at the 2005 NCAA Championships, setting a meet record with a score of 327.00. Across three seasons with the Rainbow Wahine, she earned eight NCAA All-America honors, placing third in the 1-meter in 2006 and fourth in the 3-meter in 2005.

In conference competition, Drew was a five-time Western Athletic Conference champion, capturing three consecutive 1-meter titles from 2004 to 2006 and winning the 3-meter title in 2004 and '05. Her performances earned her WAC Diver of the Year honors in 2004 and 2006, while helping lead UH to its first WAC team championship in 2006.

Out of the pool, the collegiate standout from Wen Zhou, Zhe Jiang, China earned CSCAA Academic All-America honors during her time at UH. Following her collegiate career, Drew made a comeback to competitive diving after a multi-year hiatus, relocating to California and ultimately qualifying for and competing in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Drew embarked on a career in coaching which spanned nearly 10 years at multiple levels. She served as an assistant coach with USA Diving in Indianapolis (2008) and as the head diving coach at the University of Idaho (2008-09). She also was the diving coach at Punahou School (2010-11) in Honolulu and most recently was the Junior Olympic Team coach for Santa Clara Diving (2015-16).

EDUCATION

University of Hawai'i — Bachelor's of Science in Travel Industry Management (2007)

AWARDS & HONORS

University of Hawai'i Sports Circle of Honor (Class of 2013)
NCAA Champion — 1-Meter Springboard (2005)
Also in 2005 finished fourth in the 3-Meter Springboard at NCAA Championship
Third in the 1-Meter at the 2006 NCAA Championships
Eight-time NCAA All-American
Five-time Western Athletic Conference champion; 1-meter champion (2004-06), 3-meter champion (2004, '05).
Named "WAC Diver of the Year" twice in 2004 and 2006
Helped lead UH to its first WAC team championship (2006).
CSCAA Academic All-American

COACHING EXPERIENCE

Diving Coach — Santa Clara Diving Junior Olympic Team Coach (2015-16)
Diving Coach —Punahou School (2010-11)
Head Diving Coach — University of Idaho (2008-09)
Assistant Diving Coach — USA Diving Team, Indianapolis (2008)

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