TONAWANDA, N.Y. – Fifty elite synchronized swimmers from across the U.S. advanced to the third and final phase of two USA Synchro national team trials this past weekend at the Town of Tonawanda Aquatic and Fitness Center.
The athletes are vying for up to 12 spots each on the U.S. 13-15 and 12 & Under National Synchronized Swimming Teams. Seventeen swimmers advanced to the Phase 3 Trials for the 12U team, while 33 qualified for Phase 3 Trials for the 13-15 team.
The final trials will be held during the U.S. Junior and 13-15 National Championships in Lewisville, Texas, in April. The 12U trials will be on April 11, followed by the 13-15 trials on April 15.
“We would like to thank the Town of Tonawanda Aquettes for hosting these great National Team trials,” said Myriam Glez, USA Synchro Executive Director and High Performance Director. “And a special thank you to Patti Melber, our meet manager, for her patience, availability and great support.”
Swimmers advancing to the USA Synchro 13-15 Phase 3 Trials:
Megumi Field (La Mirada Aquabelles)
Chiara Steele (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Veronika Orlovska (La Mirada Aquabelles)
Olivia Li (New Canaan Y Aquianas)
Ashlyn Wang (Arizona Desert Dolphins)
Yujin Chang (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Marilyn Weaver (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Emily Ding (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Marlena King (Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
Miko Begossi (Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
MJ Schoel (Sacramento Synchronized Swim Team)
Megan Tappe (New Canaan Y Aquianas)
Ryan Lewis (Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
Gabriella Terry (Coral Springs Aquacades)
Maya Schwickert (Scottsdale Synchro)
Anya Melson (Southern Nevada Desert Mermaids)
Riley Morgan (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Brianna Holmes (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Joanna Liu (Rocky Mountain Splash)
Keana Hunter (Seattle Synchronized Swim Team)
Victoria Zimm (Arizona Desert Dolphins)
Paola Inestroza (Coral Springs Aquacades)
Megan Kerner (Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
Julia Paradis (Optima Synchro)
Rachel Holmes (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Heather Ding (Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
Ivy Davis (Arizona Desert Dolphins)
Jazmine Floresca (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Jenna Chen (New Canaan Y Aquianas)
Ryan Maeng (Sacramento Synchronized Swim Team)
Campbell Cupples (Carolina Synchro)
Madi Almond (Cincinnati YMCA Synchrogators)
Sydney Lanxon (New Canaan Y Aquianas)
Megan Azebu will be the head coach of the 13-15 National Team.
Swimmers advancing to the USA Synchro 12U Phase 3 Trials:
Jennah Hafsi (Tampa YMCA Synchro)
Audrey Kwon (Seattle Synchronized Swim Team)
Elle Santana (Arizona Desert Dolphins)
Gianna Bonacorso (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Elizabeth Fullen (Cincinnati YMCA Synchrogators)
Aubrey Shen (New Canaan Y Aquianas)
Angela Hu (Westside Aquatics)
Nathalia Valdez (Pirouettes of Texas)
Perry Daniel (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Alissa Cheong (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Lina Zhai (Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Trinity Noriega (Coral Springs Aquacades)
Lillian Weber (Tampa YMCA Synchro)
Viola Li (New Canaan Y Aquianas)
Mona Schwickert (Scottsdale Synchro)
Haley Ednie (Seattle Synchronized Swim Team)
Sofia Strong (ANA Synchro)
Ludivine Perrin is the head coach of the 12 & Under National Team.
The 13-15 National Team will participate in the 2018 Comen Cup (July 26-29 in Sevilla, Spain) and UANA Pan American Championships (Aug. 6-11 in Riverside, Calif.). The 12U National Team also will compete at the UANA Championships.
About USA Synchro
USA Synchro is based in Colorado Springs, Colo., and serves as the National Governing Body for the sport of synchronized swimming, appointed as such by the United States Olympic Committee. It is a membership based and not-for-profit organization which services the sport from the grass roots level to the National Team. The mission statement of USA Synchro is “to provide leadership and resources for the promotion and growth of synchronized swimming, to achieve competitive excellence at all levels and to develop broad based participation.”
Press release courtesy of USA Synchro.
Curious about the horizontal lines on their thighs?
Me too!!
I would assume it tests their strength in the water…how high they can hold themselves up while treading. Or how high they can propel themselves, like the jump tabs they use at football columbines.
Correct, the lines measure standards for upside down height while using support scull as well as ballet leg height.