Jan. 6, 2003

Lexington, Ky. – University of Kentucky divers Michelle Brown and Jessica Thompson will be competing in the American Cup Jan. 7-11 at the University of Indiana. The meet is one of the most prestigious in the country, with top divers from the U.S. National Team and Junior National Team competing. Thompson will compete in the three-meter springboard prelims on Tues., Jan. 7, while Brown will be in action on the platform on Wed., Jan. 8.

Brown, Thompson, and Clayton Moss are coming off strong performances at the Georgia Diving Invitational held Jan. 3-5 in Athens, Ga.

Moss won the one-meter springboard with a score of 666.25. Moss also finished second in the platform with a 542.75.

Brown scored a zone-qualifying mark of 378.35, good enough for fourth-place in the event, which featured the top divers in the Southeastern Conference.

“Michelle did an outstanding job on the platform,” Coach Mike Lyden said. “For her to finish fifth is a good sign that she has an excellent shot of finishing in the top eight at the conference meet.”

Thompson, a freshman finished fifth in the one-meter board with a 516.75.

“Jessica was competing against the best divers in the country and finished fifth in the one-meter. For her to do that well as a freshman is very impressive,” Lyden said.

“Overall I’m really happy with the team’s performance this weekend,” Lyden said. “We were competing against the best divers in the SEC and some of the best in the nation, so to come out with the finishes that we did is very encouraging as we head toward the conference meet in February.”

Both the UK swimming and diving teams will hit the pool on Sat., Jan. 11, as they travel to Erlanger, Ky., for a meet against the University of Cincinnati. That meet is slated for a 4 p.m. start.

— UK —