April 18, 2002

OXFORD, Ohio - The UAB synchronized swimming team placed two teams in the top 10 after first day competition in the Team Technical competition at the U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships hosted at the Miami University Aquatic Center.

The UAB team of Jessica Brown, Kelli Dickerson, Amanda Haeuser, Jennifer Holmquist, Stacey Jackson, Stephanie Jackson, Stacy Leiker and Bogdana Zareva placed eighth in the Team Technical competition, with a score of 89.500. The Blazer squad of Luna Aguilu, Hannah Freer, Kristen Kramer, Erica Levine, Kara Morgan, Sarah Pikal and Moraine Ruddick finished 10th in the competition, scoring an 87.333.

The Nationals continue tomorrow with the Team Free Preliminary, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. (ET). The Technical competition is weighted to 50 percent and combined with tomorrow's Preliminary Free routine to determine eight team finalists. In the final, the 50 percent free preliminary score is replaced with 50 percent of the final free routine score.

More than 150 athletes are on hand vying for national titles in the solo, duet and team events. Top athletes advance to the 2002 National Team Trials, May 3-5 in Columbus, Ohio. The Nationals represents the top synchronized swimming teams from all levels of competition.

UAB is making its third consecutive appearance at the event.