Jan. 10, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB Synchronized Swimming team opens its 2002 season with a dual meet vs. Keuka (N.Y.) College Saturday, Jan. 12 at Bell Aquatic Center (13th Street South).

The competition is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

UAB is entering its third season of intercollegiate synchro competition. The Blazers finished fourth in the U.S. Collegiate National Championships in both 2000 and 2001.

In its one preseason match, UAB finished second to perennial national champion Ohio State in a dual match in Coral Springs, Fla., on Dec. 21. UAB's Moraine Ruddick placed second with a score of 72.265 and Kristen Kramer finished third with a score of 72.130 in Technical Category B to lead UAB.

The Blazers also had three swimmers finish within the top 10 of Technical Category A. Bogdana Zareva grabbed a fifth place finish in Technical Category A with a score of 82.583. Stacy Leiker finished eighth in the category, scoring an 80.996 and Jennifer Holmquist placed ninth with a score of 80.924.

UAB will face Ohio State again on Feb. 2, this time in Birmingham. That meet is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bell Aquatic Center.