March 14, 2008

HOUSTON - Mizzou divers Kendra Melnychuk and Abby Zepeda completed their first day of action at the Zone D Diving Championship on Friday. Melnychuk improved on her prelims score in the day's final round to score a top-10 finish in 1-meter diving.

"One-meter is not our best event," Mizzou Diving Coach Jamie Sweeney said. "We'll look to improve upon our performances as we move into our stronger 3-meter and platform events this weekend."

Melnychuk, The Tigers' first-ever conference titlist, posted a score of 252.30 in prelims and bettered her score in finals (260.95) to tally a 12-dive total 513.25 points and finish eighth overall. She and Zepeda hope to fare better in Saturday's 3-meter competition, scheduled to get underway at 12:30 p.m. in the University of Houston's Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

MIZZOU 1-METER DIVING FINAL STANDINGS (POINTS)

8. Kendra Melnychuk (513.25)

22. Abby Zepeda (388.90)