WAC CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO PALO ALTO ?“ The 2006 edition of the WAC Championship returns to Palo Alto Natatorium in San Antonio. This year will mark a new champion for the first time nine years, with the departure of SMU. The Championship will be held Feb. 22-25, 2006.
XBOX LIVE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK ?“ Hawai'i?™s Bach?© Atkins has been named the Xbox Live Western Athletic Conference women?™s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week.
Atkins, a junior from Mermaid Beach, Queensland, Australia, won both the 500 Free (4:57.46) and 1000 Free (10:10.34) giving UH a boost in its contest against SDSU. She also posted a 24.80 on the lead leg on the UH 200 Free Relay (1:40.85). Her time in the 1000 Free was her fastest time of the season. Atkins leadoff leg time in the 200 Free Relay of 24.80 is fourth best on the team and her season best.
Others Nominated: Alyson Armstrong, Nevada; Blair Buder, Northern Arizona and Amanda Carr, San Jose State.
Click here for a .pdf version of the Swimming and Diving Weekly Notes and Top Performances.
HAWAI'I RANKED 19TH NATIONALLY ?“ Hawai'i continues to be ranked 19th by the College Coaches Swim Coaches Association (CSCAA) poll. The Wahine finished sixth at the Texas Invitational, earning 240 pionts in a field that showcased four teams ranked in the top 10. They are led once again by divers Rui Wang and QiongJie Huang. Melanie Schlanger and Bache Atkins lead a strong swimming corps.
CSCAA Poll
WAC ENTERS NEW ERA ?“ The WAC is a nine-team league with the additions of Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State following the departures of Rice, SMU, UTEP and Tulsa. It is the third time in conference history that the WAC will be comprised of nine teams (1980-91 and 2000). Only Idaho and New Mexico State sponsor swimming and diving. Northern Arizona and San Diego continue as affiliate members.
NCAA DIVING ZONES ?“ There are five NCAA Diving zones, being held March 9-11 or March 10-12. The following are the five respective sites.
Zone A:
U.S. Naval Academy (March 10-12)
Annapolis, Maryland
Zone B:
University of Kentucky (March 10-12)
Lexington, Kentucky
Zone C:
Ohio State University (March 10-12)
Columbus, Ohio
Zone D:
University of Missouri (March 10-12)
Columbia, Missouri
Zone E:
U.S. Air Force Academy (March 9-11)
Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP ?“ The 2005 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship returs to Athens, Ga., March 16-18. Hawai'i placed 16th at the 2004-05 Championship.
Gabrielsen Natatorium
Athens, Georgia
Host: University of Georgia
Ticket Info: 706/542-1231