As a four-time NCAA Champion, former Alabama gymnast Ashley Miles has enjoyed some tremendous moments in Coleman Coliseum and even though she finished her career last spring, the 2006 National Gymnast of the Year will have another standout moment on Saturday when she walks across the stage as a college graduate.

"It's hard to believe it's already here," Miles said. "They tell you that it will go fast, but you have no idea until you get to this point. I am tremendously proud of what I have been a part of at this University. There is no where else I could have had the career that I did at Alabama. Of everything I have accomplished since I've been here, Saturday will be the high point. Earning a degree is what I came to Tuscaloosa for and I can't wait to walk across that stage."

Miles' career at Alabama is the stuff of legend. The San Antonio, Texas native earned 12 first-team All-American honors during her career and won 20 individual postseason titles during her Crimson Tide tenure including four NCAA, six Southeastern Conference and 10 NCAA Regional Championships. Her 10 regional titles are the most by an Alabama gymnast.

The Tide's 2005 and 2006 captain, Miles led her teammates to four top-3 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including two runner-up finishes, as well as the 2003 SEC Championship and three NCAA Regional titles.

"When our ladies come to Alabama, we want them to have outstanding careers and compete for championships," head gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson said. "But the single most important thing to us is that they earn their degree. Of all the truly wonderful things Ashley accomplished here at Alabama, earning her degree stands at the very top."

A member of the University's elite women's honorary XXXI, Miles, who earned her degree in Advertising, was named to the Dean's List as a senior and was an Academic All-SEC honoree.

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