HOUSTON, TX -- The University of Houston women's swimming and diving team won its home-opening meet of the 2000-2001 season Thursday night (November 2) in the UH Natatorium. The Cougars got two wins each from four different competitors to defeat visiting North Texas by a score of 167-120.

Senior Angela Sanchez, junior Elissa Nelson, sophomore Falon Hopkins and freshman Veronica Smith all won two events to pace UH to its first win of the season. The Cougars also combined to sweep both relay events for a total of 12 wins in the meet's 16-event program.

Hopkins, a conference champion last season, led a 1-2 UH finish in the 100-yard freestyle as well as a win the 100-yard backstroke. The Houston native then gave the Cougars a solid 200-start in the leadoff-leg of UH's winning 800-freestyle relay team.

Angela Sanchez won the 200-yard breaststroke after a victory in the rugged 1,000-free. Three events after winning the 500-free, Elissa Nelson returned to win the 400-individual medley with a time of 4:39.17. The youngest member of Thursday's foursome, true freshman Veronica Smith swept both the one- and three-meter springboard diving events. It was Smith's first collegiate action after joining the team as a walk-on only last month.

North Texas sophomore Michelle Gomez was a multi-event winner for the Eagles, winning both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly. North Texas fell to 0-3 in dual meets while UH improved to 1-2.

Houston will next face SEC power Arkansas at home in the UH Natatorium on Saturday, November 4. The meet of 13 events will begin at 1:00 p.m.

College Dual Swim Meet (UH Natatorium)
               Points
North Texas    120
Houston        167