University of Houston Athletics
Pakhalina Named Conference USA Diver of the Week
1/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 14, 2003
HOUSTON - University of Houston diver Yulia Pakhalina was named Conference USA Diver of the Week on Tuesday afternoon after helping lead the Cougars to a 1-1 record during a road trip through New Mexico last weekend.
Despite battling the flu, Pakhalina swept both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events in dual-meet action at New Mexico and at New Mexico State.
She notched a score of 347.40 points on the 1-meter board while securing a first-place finish in the 3-meter event with 378.52 points against New Mexico.
The Penza, Russia, wrapped up the road swing in helping lead the Cougars to their third NCAA dual meet win of the season. She again swept the springboard events, totaling 344.35 points on the 1-meter board and 360.00 points on the 3-meter board.
In both dual meets, she was the only diver to score more than 300.00 points in any event. With those wins, Pakhalina collected her 51st and 52nd career wins in only 54 collegiate outings. She also extended her winning streak on the 3-meter board to 26 consecutive events.
Pakhalina earned the league's weekly award for the third time this season and the eighth time in her illustrious career. It was also the fourth consecutive week that a Cougar diver received the honor as freshman diver Azul Almazan grabbed the award on Nov. 18.
Pakhalina and her Cougar teammates will return to action at 4 p.m. Friday as they play host to LSU in an NCAA dual meet at the UH Natatorium. Pakhalina as well as fellow seniors Falon Hopkins, Jessica Blake and Veronica Smith will be honored in pre-meet ceremonies.
The meet is free and open to the public.
Friday's meet will also be the last time that the Cougars compete in the UH Natatorium. UH moves into the brand-new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center next spring.
