March 21, 2002

NORTON, Mass. - The UAB synchronized swimming team had a solid first day in the solo, duet and trio preliminary rounds at the U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships hosted by Wheaton College.

Bogdana Zareva placed third in the solo preliminary, scoring a 91.667. She also teamed with Amanda Haeuser for a third place finish in the duet preliminary, with a score of 89.667. Directly behind Haeuser and Zareva in the duet preliminary were UAB's Jennifer Holmquist and Stacy Leiker, who took fourth place with a score of 88.834.

Holmquist and Leiker teamed with Luna Aguilu for a fifth place finish in the trio preliminary, as they scored a 89.834.

The top eight finishers from today's preliminary rounds will advance to Saturday's finals.

More than 200 athletes from 22 universities are competing for collegiate national titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events. The championships are an open-class meet, combining competition from NCAA Divisions I, II and III, plus NAIA schools.

Top athletes advance to the U.S. National Championships and 2002 National Team Trials, April 18-20 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The U.S. Nationals represent the top synchronized swimming programs in the U.S. from all levels of competition.

Competition continues at Balfour Natatorium Friday with figures in the morning, and team semifinals at 5:30 p.m. (ET). Finals in all events begin Saturday at 10:20 a.m. (ET).

Complete results can be found at www.usasynchro.org.