March 20, 2003

TUCSON, Ariz. - The UAB synchronized swimming team advanced all three events held Thursday in the preliminary round of the 2003 U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships. Solo, duet and trio events were held in the opening round at the University of Arizona Aquatic Center, with the top eight athletes in each category advancing to Saturday's finals.

Bogdana Zareva scored an 88.833 in the solo event to place third and then teamed with Amanda Haeuser for a sixth place finish in the duet event for UAB, with a score of 87.167. The Blazer tandem of Stacey Jackson and Stephanie Jackson took eighth in the duet event, scoring 83.000.

In the trio event, Stacey Jackson, Stephanie Jackson and Stacy Leiker tied for a sixth place finish for UAB in the trio event with a score of 87.000.

More than 200 athletes from 24 universities are competing for collegiate national titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events. The championships are an open-class meet, combining competition for NCAA Divisions I, II and III, plus NAIA schools.

The Ohio State University is attempting to win its fourth consecutive, and 23rd overall title in the 27th year of the championships. Top athletes advance to the U.S. National Championships and 2003 National Team Trials, April 24-27 in Long Island, N.Y.

Competition continues at the University of Arizona Aquatic Center on Friday with team preliminaries and figures. Finals in all events begin Saturday.