Claim: Lynnette Cole of Tennessee was crowned as Miss USA 2000 with New Hampshire placing 1st runner-up on February 4, 2000 at the Grand Palace Theatre in  Branson, Missouri.
Evidence: At the conclusion of the final competition, Lynnette Cole of Tennessee was crowned by outgoing titleholder Kimberly Pressler of New York. New Hampshire earns the 1st runner-up position for the first time and surpasses its previous highest placement in 1980, becoming its highest placement ever at the pageant. Miss USA 2000, the 49th Miss USA pageant, was held at The Grand Palace, in Branson, Missouri on February 4, 2000.