Jan. 27, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. - The UAB synchronized swimming team traveled to Georgia for its season-opening meet and came away with an 89-61 victory on Sunday. Juniors Meryl Grandia, a 2007 All-American, and Margareta Jakovac each garnered three first place finishes at the meet.

"Today went really well for us," said sixth-year head coach Lisa Riddell. "I was quite pleased with how well we did for our first meet. I especially thought our solos did really well."

Jakovac won the solo competition by posting a score of 88.167, while freshman Talia Scatliff finished second with a score of 85.833.

In the duet event, Grandia and Jakovac teamed up to claim first place honors with a score of 86.500. Senior Frances Halloran and freshman Shaina Boe were second with a mark of 83.833.

UAB again supplied the top two finishers in the trio event as Boe, Grandia and freshman Brittany McCauley earned a first place score of 85.167 and freshmen Mikayla Cansler, Jami Schwendau and Michele Rushfeldt were second with a score of 81.833.

The Blazers capped off their day with a first place effort in the team event. Teaming up to win the event with a score of 87.667 were Boe, freshman Stephanie Cardwell, Grandia, Halloran, Jakovac, freshman Georgia Luch, McCauley and Rushfeldt.

UAB will next be in action on Saturday when they travel to Palo Alto, Calif. to take on defending national champion Stanford.