Stanford and The Ohio State Set to Face-off at Finals

Solo, Duet, Trio and Team finals on tap for Saturday

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - Ohio State earns first place ranking in the team preliminary event on Friday at the 28th annual U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Buckeyes scored a 96.167 to Stanford's 95.333 in the team preliminaries, although Stanford dominated the solo, duet and trio routines in Thursday's competition. The Buckeyes and the Cardinals will now head into Saturday's finals as leaders of the 2004 U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships. University of Alabama Birmingham followed in third with a score of 93.667.

In the 2003 Collegiate Championships, OSU scored a 97.500 to Stanford's 96.500, and earned their 23 rd Championship title in the finals. The two will face-off at the Donald B. Canham Natatorium on the University of Michigan campus, Saturday March 27 th for the 28th annual competition.

Universities earn points based on placement at the U.S. Collegiate Championships, much like the scoring of a track meet. Though Stanford currently holds the top spot in solo, duet and trio a victory by OSU in team, coupled with second-place finishes in two other events, could give the rivals a shot at the title.

Swimming for Ohio State are current U.S. National Teamers, Kate Hooven, Becky Kim, and Lindsay Newbill.

Stanford also fielded three U.S. National Teamers with Ashley McHugh, Elizabeth-Anne Markman, and team routine alternate, Katie Norris.

More than 250 athletes from 29 universities are competing for collegiate national titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events. The championships are an open-class meet, combining competition for NCAA Divisions I, II and III, plus NAIA schools and clubs. The top eight athletes from today's preliminary rounds will advance to Saturday's finals.

The Ohio State University is attempting to win its forth consecutive, and 24th overall title in the 28th year of the championships. Top athletes advance to the U.S. National Championships and 2004 National Team Trials, April 28-May 1 in Stanford, Calif.

Team Preliminaries

1. The Ohio State A 96.167; 2. Stanford University 95.333; 3. University of Alabama Birmingham A 93.667; 4. The Ohio State University B 91.667; 5. Canisius College A 91.000; 6. University of Incarnate Word 88.917; 7. University of Florida Gators 86.833; 8. University of Alabama Birmingham 85.917.