Jan. 31, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB synchronized swimming team begins the 2006 season Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bell Aquatics Center when it hosts the University of Georgia. The Blazers look to continue where they left off last year, placing fourth at the U.S. Collegiate Championships and sixth at the National Championships.

UAB returns much of its squad from 2005, including eight members that were honored by the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Collegiate Coaches Committee as All-Americans. Six Blazers received Academic All-America honors and four more were named All-America or Honorary All-America for their performance during last year's season.

Andrea Dash, Vanessa Dash, Frances Halloran, Sara Petrov represented UAB on the Collegiate Coaches Committee's Academic-All America list in 2005.

The UAB synchronized swimming team opened up last year with a second-place finish in a home tri-meet against Stanford and Florida. The Blazers tallied 72 points, finishing behind Stanford who scored 90 points.