University of Houston Athletics
Pakhalina, Smith Compete at NCAA Zone D Diving Qualifer
3/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
March 14, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - Two University of Houston divers begin their first step toward the NCAA Diving Championships when they compete at the Zone D Diving Qualifier at the Arkansas Natatorium on Friday and Saturday.
Yulia Pakhalina, the 2001 NCAA national champion on both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards, begins the defense of her crowns and will be joined by teammate Veronica Smith in Fayetteville, Ark.
Pakhalina and Smith will be joined by divers from nine other schools, including Nebraska, Iowa State, Texas, Northern Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas A&M, Kansas and SMU. The women's competition begins at 10 a.m. Friday with the 1-meter event and continues at 2 p.m. Saturday with the 3-meter competition.
The top five finishers from each of the five zones automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships with the remaining 16 slots filled on an at-large basis.
A native of Pezna, Russia, Pakhalina has established herself as the premier diver in college athletics. Pakhalina has won all 34 collegiate diving events in which she has entered during her UH career and never lost an NCAA meet. This season, she has recorded 24 consecutive event victories.
In mid-February, she captured the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard championships at the inaugural Conference USA Championships by comfortable 133-point and 251-point margins. For her impressive performances there, she was recognized as Diver of the Meet and Diver of the Year. The awards are added to her five C-USA Diver of the Week honors during the regular season.
Smith also earned honors among the top C-USA divers at the league championships. The Houston native placed fifth in the 1-meter event and grabbed second place in the 3-meter competition on the strength of her final dive.
