This past week, the UCLA diving team competed in the Texas Invitational in Austin. The No. 10 Bruins were anchored by senior Janine Strack’s fifth-place finish on the platform (342.90). In her first collegiate competition, freshman Heather Peng placed 15th with a score of 280.25. In the early going, junior Paige Thompson and Strack each had season-best scores in their respective events. “I am pleased with how we handled things this weekend, but I also see that we have lots of work to do if we plan to accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves concerning the end of this season,” dive coach Tom Stebbins said in a statement. “I am really looking forward to getting through finals and putting our noses to the grindstone to get the work that we need to get in.” The No. 10 UCLA swim team had two second-place finishes and six more top-five finishes in the Husky Invitational in Federal Way, Wash., on Sunday. The event, which began Thursday, featured Kim Scarborough in the 200-meter back, and Nicolette Teo, 200m breast. Both placed second in their respective events. The 400m Free Relay team of Amy Thurman, Katie Nelson, Katherine Wong, and Shannon Hackett had a time of 3:30.63 for fourth place. Bruin alumnus Malin Svahnstrom won the 100m Free in a time of 50.60. The UCLA swimming and diving team will next head to Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 7-8 for the ASU Invitational.
WOMEN’S GOLF: Hana Kim, a UCLA graduate and two-year letter winner, had a stellar outing last Sunday in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla., placing 20th and earning herself an LPGA Tour card. After shooting even-par in the tournament, Kim catapulted into elite company by becoming the first UCLA player since Jenny Park-Choi in 2000 to earn an her tour card. Starting on Jan. 1, 2005, Kim will now be exempt for an all full-field official LPGA tournaments for one calender year.During Kim’s time at UCLA, she led the Bruins to the NCAA title. In 105 collegiate rounds, Kim averaged 76.9 strokes per round.
WOMEN’S WATER POLO: UCLA women’s water polo coach Adam Krikorian added three new weapons to his squad for the 2006 season. Newport Beach driver Anne Belden, San Diego driver Tanya Gandy, and San Diego’s Katie Rulon, make up one of the premiere recruiting classes in the nation.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Bruin senior libero Chrissie Zartman and senior setter Krystal McFarland earned All-Pacific Region Team honors this past week. This honor was Zartman’s second while McFarland’s placement on the Honorable Mention team was her first All-Region honor.
Compiled by Bryan Chu, Bruin Sports senior staff, with reports from wire services.