UH Swimming and Diving Falls to TCU

HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Houston dropped its first-ever Conference USA dual meet Friday with a 129-89 setback against TCU at the UH Natatorium. TCU captured first place in eight of the evening's 12 events and placed 1-2 in three events to take the win.

Sophomore diver Yulia Pakhalina continued her dominance in collegiate diving events, winning the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events for her 26th and 27th consecutive collegiate wins.

Pakhalina won the 1-meter competition by nearly 143 points and was nearly as dominant in the 3-meter event with a 119.85-point win over second-place finisher Lindsay Harvey of Houston.

In addition, the Penza, Russia, native enjoyed some perfection during her dives. On her fifth dive on the 3-meter board, TCU diving coach Wayne Chester awarded Pakhalina a perfect 10 on a reverse 2 1/2 somersault. Chester would later give Pakhalina that same mark on her sixth and final dive in the 1-meter competition, an inward 1 1/2 somersault.
UH swimmers Falon Hopkins and Stacey Ebeling also captured first-place wins to lead the Cougar scoring attack.

Hopkins placed first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.79, making her the only swimmer to crack the 1-minute barrier in the event. Ebeling posted a time of 1:05.92 in the 100-yard breaststroke for top honors.

However, there will be no rest for the weary as the Cougars return to the friendly confines of UH Natatorium at noon Saturday to play host to SMU in their final home dual meet of the season.

Saturday's meet also marks the final home appearance for four Cougar seniors. Agustina Foglietta, Stacey Ebeling, Elissa Nelson and Linda Osborne each played integral roles in the success of the Cougar swimming and diving program during the last four years. The meet is free and open to the public, which is invited to attend.