Feb. 18, 2002

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –
The South Carolina men’s and women’s divers opened up the first day of competition at the SEC Swimming & Diving Championships at the Arkansas Natatorium. After the first day of diving, South Carolina is tied for first place on the women’s side with 33 points (w/Tennessee). The men’s squad sits in sixth place with 15 points after the first day of diving. Sophomore Holly Hodges and freshman Tracey Richardson each reached the finals for USC in the one-meter competition. Hodges placed fifth with a score of 269.95, while Richardson in her first SEC Championships competition earned seventh place with 247.15.

The Gamecock men’s squad also earned points on the first day, with three divers in competition on the three-meter board. Senior Brandon Hulko placed the highest for USC, finishing tenth in the prelims with a score of 465.95. Freshman Dean Emmerton was right behind Hulko, 11th, with a score of 464.90. Senior Brad Brown finished 15th with a score of 439.35.

On the women’s side behind Richardson and Hodges was freshman Allison Brennan. Also competing in her first SEC Championships, Brennan placed tenth in the prelims with a score of 247.00, just six points away from reaching the finals. Freshman Tammy Baker also participated in her first SEC Championships and finished with a score of 173.85.

The men and women’s divers will switch boards tomorrow, with the men competing on the one-meter and the women moving up to the three-meter competition. Preliminary competition is set for 10:30 a.m. for the men, and 2:00 p.m. for the women. The finals in each event will begin at 6:30 p.m.