Palmer and Kushner score at SECs

LEXINGTON, KEN. – Sophomore Madison Palmer and junior Brieanne Kushner scored 12 points on the three-meter springboard putting the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team in sixth place after one day of the competition at the Southeastern Conference Championships in Lexington, Ken. Palmer finished ninth, just one place away from making the finals, with a score of 269.85. Kushner placed 14th with a 244.45 and sophomore Kellyn Williams took an 18th-place finish with a 216.75. “Madison is so new to the sport and was last in this event last year,” said head diving coach Scott Reich. “To be that close to making the finals is just a tremendous improvement.” Palmer improved her score by almost 74 points from that in the 2006 SEC Championships. Kushner also moved up three places from a 17th-place finish last year. The diving championships continue tomorrow with the prelims of the one meter starting at 11 a.m. The finals are scheduled for 6 p.m. with only the top eight divers from the prelims competing. For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.