DSSC Wows Them at 2010 Provincial Trials

The Nepean Sportsplex was a hive of activity during the 2010 Provincial Trials held on January 23-24, 2010. Durham Synchronized Swimming Club’s National Teams were invigorated under the pressure of competition. Head Coach Holley Lundmark (Tier 6 and 7) with assistant Coach Julia Maclean, and Coaches Jenilee Keslering (Tier 6), Taya Amundson (Tier 6 Open) and Leslie Wickens (Tier 7 Jr. & Sr.) felt our National teams represented the Durham Synchronized Swimming Club with strength and pride. Sporting new routine suits and brimming with confidence our swimmers ranked high on the leader board soaring to first place standings much to the loud applause and encouragement of both family members and synchro fans alike.

All that glittered was gold as amazing first place contentions were the order of the meet! Duet team Alycia Halyk and Rachel Nickerson (Coach Holley) flawlessly danced a lovely water ballet to a first place podium finish in the Duet Finals, Tier 6 category. Leaving the audience in awed silence throughout their routine, team Julia Maclean and Carrie Mouck (Coach Leslie) finessed a first place podium finale in the Duet Free, Tier 7 Sr. category. Then, in a breath-taking display of dexterity and poise competitor/assistant Coach Julia Maclean (Coach Leslie) did not disappoint as she swept the first place title in the Solo Technical, Tier 7 Sr. category.

As natural as a mermaids in their element, Carrie Mouck’s (Coach Leslie) routine charmed a second place status in the Solo Finals, Tier 7 Jr. division while team mate Jessica Henry, looking quite fashionable, commanded her routine to take fourth place amongst seven competitors in this category. In a classic demonstration of elegance, another second place ranking went to team Stephanie Geller and Jessica Henry (Coach Holley) in the Duet Finals, Tier 7 Jr. division. Earlier in the Duet Finals, Tier 6 Open category, team Brooke Stevens and Venessa Trajanos (Coach Taya) performed a brilliant water chasse to receive a third place finish.

Deserving credit for their fluidity and synchronicity in the Duet Finals, Tier 6 team Heather Clarke and Katie Gagnon (Coach Jenilee) orchestrated a melodic number to finish in eighth place. Finding it difficult to contain her enthusiasm Coach Taya watched as team Heather Clarke and Kionna Whyte harmoniously graced the pool to a ninth place finish. Team Julia Erht and Ellen Hamilton (Coach Jenilee), shining in their costumes, finish in 12th while team Emma Campbell and Wenjing Deng (Coach Leslie) vied for a 14th place finish. These young women are not to be out done!

Last but not least, in the Team Finals categories, our DSSC teams demonstrated that strong team spirit can lead to top podium results. In the Tier 6 category our team under Coaches Holley and Julia were awarded fourth place on the podium and Coach Jenilee’s received ninth place overtaking the rival Granite club. In the Tier 6 Open category under Coach Taya our team received a sixth place ranking. Lastly, in the Tier 7 Jr. category (Coach Holley) our team excitedly took the podium in second place.

A special thanks goes to our coaches and athletes who respectfully represented DSSC with resolve and a fierce demonstration of power, talent and skill. Each meet exemplifies how these young women have matured not only in ability but in their fortitude to be the very best they can be.