Beth Leake and Paco Rivera qualify.

ATHENS, Ga. (March 13, 1998) — University of Kentucky divers Beth Leake and PacoRivera showed why they are All-Americans, as both advanced to theNCAA Swimming and Diving Championships after standout performances atthe NCAA Zone B meet at the University of Georgia.

Leake finished second in the women’s one-meter competition, posting ascore of 412.50. Rivera, th3 1998 SEC platform champion, was fifth in themen’s one-meter event with a result of 542.25. Both scores were goodenough to advance the seniors to their respective NCAA Championships.The women’s NCAA meet will be March 19-21 at the University ofMinnesota, while the men’s national championship meet will be March 26-28at Auburn University. The top three finishers in the women’s one meter alladvanced, while the top five placers in the men’s three meter moved on.Sophomore Alex Hawley was 17th on the men’s three-meter with a score of445.95. Christy Soulakis was 12th (382.95) in the women’s competition,while Sarah Fields (365.20) and Carrie Knoeber (364.15) were 20th and21st, respectively.

The Zone B championships continue on Saturday with the men’s one-meterevent and the women’s one-meter competition. Both the men’s and women’splatform events will be Saturday, as well.