Jan. 15, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The University of Miami diving team's tandem of freshman Derek Starks (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and junior Miguel Velazquez (Miami, Fla.) placed third in the men's synchronized platform on Thursday afternoon at the opening day of the 2004 World Cup Diving Trials in Huntersville, N.C.

Starks and Velazquez recorded a score of 568.56 in the finals to finish third after turning putting up a score of 264.72 in the preliminaries.

Former Hurricane Kyle Prandi paired with 2000 Olympian Mark Ruiz to take the top spot with a score of 668.58.

Starks and Velazquez will return on Friday to compete in the men's synchronized 3-meter springboard.

Freshman Heather Bounds (Austin, Texas) will also take to the board, taking part in the women's synchronized platform.