University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
<b>LSU</b>
Swimming & Diving Swept in Final Regular-Season Home Meet
1/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 14, 2006
HOUSTON - University of Houston junior Szintia Szanto set a new UH pool record in the 100-yard breaststroke to help lead the Cougar swimming and diving team during the second day of an NCAA double-dual meet against LSU and new Conference USA rival Rice on Saturday at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
Szanto recorded a time of 1:05.02 to set a new personal best and win the event. Her time also set a new UH record in the CRWC Natatorium, topping the previous best of 1:05.85 by Kristina DeWitt during the Cougar Invitational on Nov. 21, 2003.
In the team standings, LSU claimed a 203-149 win over Houston, while Rice finished with a 202-145 victory over the Cougars. LSU also won 196-151 against Rice.
Prior to the meet, senior swimmers Tatjana Banjeglav and Randee Billips and senior diver Stephanie Mannella were honored during Senior Day as they prepared to compete in their final meet at their home facility.
Szanto wasn't the only Cougar who enjoyed impressive performances on Saturday. Freshman Lauren VanCleave, a native of New Caney, Texas, won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:05.61, finishing less than a quarter-second ahead of Szanto.
Fellow freshman Andrea Pa'lmai won the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:26.29 and finished third in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.10.
The Cougars' 400-yard medley relay team of Pa'lmai, Szanto, VanCleave and freshman Sasha Schwendenwein finished second with a time of 3:51.94 and recorded the fourth-fastest time in school history in that event.
On the diving side, freshman Tania Cagnotto won the 3-meter competition with 305.85 points, making her the only diver to crack 300 points. Junior Anna Kiess, the 2005 NCAA national runner-up in the platform, finished second with 292.58 points.
The Cougars return to action at 1 p.m., Saturday when they meet host Nevada and New Mexico State in Reno, Nev.
Players Mentioned
