Saturday, February 02, 2008

Houston Defeats New Orleans in Swimming and Diving Action

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 2, 2008) One sophomore, two juniors and three freshmen were the stars of the day as the University of Houston swimming and diving team defeated the University of New Orleans 105-71 in their final regular-season home meet of the season.

The six swimmers combined to win all but one swimming event and both diving events to snap a five-meet losing streak.

The Cougars, who finished the regular season with a 9-8 overall record, recorded their third straight winning season, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1983-86.

Juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa’lmai and freshmen Brittany Copeland led the way with a pair of event wins each.

Schwendenwein won the 1,000-yard freestyle after posting a time of 10:40.51. The Randburg, South Africa, native also won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:09.30.

Pa’lmai led all swimmers with a time of 1:56.12 in the 200-yard freestyle. The Budapest, Hungary, native also won the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.18.

Copeland won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.20. She also captured first place in the 100-yard freestyle after posting a time of 55.07.

Sophomore Kristine Kelly captured first place in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 5:01.40, while freshman Paige Bissett finished first in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:23.43.

Freshman diver Courtney Forcucci swept both diving events, a day after accomplishing that feat at No. 6 Texas A&M.

The Cougars’ 400-yard medley relay team of Jessica Shamburger, Doreen Polotzek, Bissett and Andrea Kells started the meet on a positive note, taking first place with a clocking of 4:02.50.

The Cougars will now take a 3 1/2 week break to sharpen thier skills and make final preparations before they host the Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships on February 27-March 1.

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