University of Houston
# NCAA Diving Zone Qualifier
Pakhalina, Almazan Qualify for NCAA Diving Championships
3/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
March 15, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas - University of Houston diver Yulia Pakhalina continued her dominance by capturing first place on the 1-meter springboard Saturday at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships in Austin, Texas.
Pakhalina, who took home top honors on the 3-meter board Friday night, racked up 686.00 points to win for the 62nd time in 64 all-time diving events during her illustrious career. She finished nearly 120 points ahead of second-place finisher Ally Hartzell of Texas.
The Penza, Russia, native will join teammate Azul Almazan at the NCAA Championships on March 27-29 in Auburn, Ala. Almazan finished second behind Pakhalina on the 3-meter board Friday and will compete as the lone Cougar in the platform competition on Sunday afternoon.
Senior Veronica Smith wrapped up her collegiate career Sunday with a 17th-place finish on the 1-meter board after qualifying for the finals.
The Championships will conclude on Sunday at the Lee and Jamail Texas Swim Center. The women's competition in platform diving will begin at 11 a.m.
