University of Houston Athletics
Swimming & Diving Wraps up Regular Season This Weekend
1/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 30, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston swimming and diving program wraps up its regular season with a pair of NCAA dual meets this weekend.
The Cougars face crosstown rival Rice at 7 p.m. Friday at the Rice Pool and then face Texas A&M in a 3:30 p.m. meet Saturday at College Station, Texas.
Earlier this season, Rice took a 162-122 win over the Cougars at the UH Natatorium. UH (3-6) comes into the meet on the heels of back-to-back losses at TCU and at SMU last weekend. Against the Horned Frogs, junior Lucile Turpin showed why she has emerged as one of the Cougars' most consistent swimmers this season.
Turpin captured first place in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:33.88, more than 12 seconds faster than the second-place competitor. She was equally dominant in the 500-yard freestyle where she posted a time of 5:09.87, nearly 10 seconds better than the closest swimmer.
Senior Falon Hopkins was also impressive against the Cougars' Conference USA rival, finishing first in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.47.
On the diving side, senior Yulia Pakhalina and redshirt freshman Azul Almazan continue to be an intimidating combination for the Cougars. Pakhalina swept both diving events against TCU last weekend, while Almazan finished second behind her Cougar teammate in each event.
The wins were the 55th and 56th of Pakhalina's collegiate career in only 58 outings. She also won her 28th consecutive event on the 3-meter springboard. For those impressive numbers, the Penza, Russia, native was honored Tuesday week as the Conference USA Diver of the Week for the third straight week and the 10th time in her distinguished career.
Following this weekend's meets, the Cougars will take about three weeks off from competitive action before taking part at the C-USA Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 23-25.
