Nov. 8, 2006

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IRVING, Texas - Rice claims its first Conference USA Swimmer of the Week award in 2006 after a solid showing at the Phill Hansel Duals in Houston, Texas, at the University of Houston. Sophomore Diane Gu won two individual events and anchored a pair of winning Owl relays at the event. Houston's Anastasia Pozdniakova, another sophomore, wins her second consecutive Diver of the Week award after sweeping both the one- and three-meter diving competitions at the Phill Hansel Duals. Pozdniakova was the only diver to score 300 points in either event.

SWIMMER OF THE WEEK (11/8)
DIANE GU - Rice
So., Orlando, Fla. (Lake Mary)
Rice sophomore Diane Gu won two individual events and anchored a pair of winning Owl relays at the Phill Hansel Duals over the weekend. The sprinter from Orlando, Fla., led a one-two Rice finish, respectively, in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. Gu won the 50 over a field of 22 other competitors with a season-best time of 23.91. She also won the 100 with a season-best mark of 51.81. Gu served as the anchor on Rice's meet-winning 200-free relay that posted the best time in the conference so far (1:35.31). She anchored the second-best 200-medley in the league (1:46.66) so far and the Owls' meet-winning 400-free relay (3:28.41).

DIVER OF THE WEEK (11/8)
ANASTASIA POZDNIAKOVA - Houston
So., Elektrostal, Russia (Secondary General Education School No. 16)
Pozdniakova helped lead the Cougars to dual-meet wins over Conference USA rival Rice, Trinity, New Orleans and Mesa State during the Phill Hansel Duals. The sophomore swept both the one- and three-meter diving competitions and was the only diver to score 300 points in either event. She finished with 377.55 points in the three-meter event, more than 80 points ahead of her closest competitor. Pozdniakova set a Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium record with her total in that event. The native of Russia scored 336.90 points on the one-meter springboard.