Stanford Bucks Back
Florida natives advance to Saturday’s finals

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Stanford University’s Synchronized Swimming team rises to beat its main competitor, The Ohio State University, Friday at the O’Connell Center on the University of Florida’s campus, Gainesville. The second day of the 2005 U.S. Collegiate Championships began with figure competitions and led to the team semi-finals by late afternoon.

Stanford scored a 98.500 to Ohio State’s 98.400 in the team preliminaries. Although the Bucks dominated the duet Thursday, Stanford held onto its solo win and advanced through the trio tie to capture first in the team prelims. The Buckeyes and the Cardinal will now head into Saturday’s finals as the leaders. Two Florida natives Stacey and Stephanie Jackson aid in battling for first with third place team prelim finisher University of Alabama, Birmingham.

University of Florida had an outstanding day placing sixth and advancing to Saturday’s finals.

At the 2004 U.S. Collegiate Nationals, the Bucks scored a 96.167 to Stanford's 95.333 in the team preliminaries. The Ohio State went on to capture its 5 th consecutive victory. Saturday, the two will face-off as Stanford University attempts to break OSU’s winning streak.

Swimming for Stanford are seven National team members and two 2004 Olympic team members all lead by team captain and Tallahassee native Katie Norris. OSU also fields 2008 Olympic training squad member Becky Kim.

More than 275 athletes from 23 colleges and 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 12 athletes from today's preliminary rounds will advance to Saturday's finals.

The Ohio State University is attempting to win its sixth consecutive, and 25th overall title in the 29th year of the championships. Top athletes advance to the U.S. National Championships and 2005 National Team Trials.

Team Preliminaries

1. Stanford University A 98.500; 2. The Ohio State University A 98.400; 3. University of Alabama, Birmingham 96.000; 4. The Ohio State University B 95.600; 5. University of Incarnate Word 91.050; 6. University of Florida 87.700; 7. Canisius College 86.850 T; 7. Wheaton College 86.850 T; 9. University of Florida 85.250; 10. College of William & Mary 82.350; 11. University of Arizona 82.200; 12. University of Richmond 81.950