Hurricane Divers Head to NCAA Zone Meet

March 11, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami diving team travels to Athens, Ga. this weekend to compete in the NCAA Zone B Diving Trials at the Gabrielsen Natatorium on the campus of the University of Georgia.

Head diving coach Randy Ableman sends four divers to the competition, including the 2004 BIG EAST Most Outstanding Diver, freshman Derek Starks (Mission Viejo, Calif.).

Starks earned BIG EAST accolades after taking first place in the men’s three-meter springboard and second place in the one-meter at the BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championships. Joining Starks for the UM men’s squad will be two-time All-American Miguel Velazquez (Mexico City, Mexico).

Representing the Hurricane women’s team will be two-time All-American Emily Spychala (Tampa, Fla.) and freshman Heather Bounds (Austin, Texas). Spychala captured two runner-up spots at the BIG EAST Championships, finishing second in the one-meter and three-meter.

The NCAA Zone B trials are one of five diving trials across the country to determine participants in the 2004 Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.