Feb. 9, 2002

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The UAB synchronized swimming team defeated the University of Incarnate Word 114-50.5, sweeping all six events.

The UAB team of Jessica Brown, Jennifer Holmquist, Kelli Dickerson, Stacey Jackson, Stephanie Jackson, Amanda Haeuser, Stacy Leiker and Bogdana Zareva captured first place in the team routine with a score of 89.167, while the Blazer squad of Luna Aguilu, Hannah Freer, Kristen Kramer, Erica Levine, Kara Morgan, Sarah Pikal and Moraine Ruddick finished second, scoring an 85.917.

Zareva grabbed the top spot in the solo routines with an 88.666. She also posted a first place finish in the Technical Elements Figures with a score of 81.00. Haeuser was behind Zareva in the Technical Elements Figures, scoring a 79.753 and Leiker was third with a 79.168.

Ruddick was the top performer in the B Figures, scoring a 72.446, Kramer notched a second place finish with a score of 72.273 and Pikal finished third, scoring a 71.573.

The Jackson twins (Stacey and Stephanie) took first place in the duet routines with a score of 83.333 and Holmquist and Leiker place second with a 83.163.

The trio routines saw Dickerson, Stephanie Jackson and Morgan finish first with a score of 82.167.

?It was exciting for us to have swept all of the events today,? said UAB Head Coach Amy O?Donnell. ?We looked really strong and I saw a lot of improvements in our routines. I was thrilled with all of our swims.?

UAB next travels to Richmond, Va. to compete in the South Collegiate Regionals March 2. The Regionals serve as a qualifier for the Collegiate National Championships.

?With the Regionals coming up in three weeks, I?m pleased that we looked very strong,? O?Donnell added. ?I think we are now in a good position to have a strong finish at the Regionals.?