Durham Synchros National Teams on the Podium at 2011 Eastern Divisionals

Durham Synchro’s (DSC) National Teams started the competitive season off on a high note with early podium achievements during the Synchro Swim Ontario 2011 Eastern Divisionals held on March 15-20, 2011 at the Olympium Pool (Etobicoke, ON). Hosted by the Waterloo Regional Synchronized Swimming Club, Durham Synchro’s 13-15 Yr. Old, 16-18 Yr. Old and Jr. FINA National Teams didn’t fail to achieve high standings throughout Team and Duet Finals while personal bests were attained during Figures categories by members from these teams.

After a nearly flawless routine swim, DSC’s 13-15 Yr. Old Team (Coach Julia Maclean) achieved a sixth place standing in Routine Finals. Competing against 174 synchronized swimmers from across Southern Ontario in the individual Figures competition, athletes from this team proudly displayed impressive Figures techniques and stellar results were reported by each team member. Kionna Whyte (13), Sarah Masters (22), Meg Grylls 33), Kristyn Davies (35), Catilin Schropp (36), Wenjing Deng (41), Laura Walsh (50) and Reyanne Padgett (68) completed this figures tour de force in this highly competitive pool of athletes.

DSC's 13-15 Yr Old National Team
Not in Order: Kristyn Davies, Wenjing Deng, Meg Grylls, Sarah Masters, Reyanne Padgett, Caitlin Schropp, Kionna Whyte and Laura Walsh

Soloist, Wenjing Deng (13-15 Yr. Old, Special Team Division) graced the pool with a moving rendition to Bette Midler’s “The Rose” and placed 26th overall in preliminaries to later finish in 24th place. Duet team Kionna Whyte & Sarah Masters achieved DSC Duet Team, Kristyn Davies & Meg Grylls earned 24th in Duet Preliminaries and finished 20th overall.

DSC’s 16-18 Yr. Old National Team (Shannon Blaney, Meagan Caulfield, Julia Ehrt, Sarah Exley, Samantha Gurrieri, Amber Mealing and Ellen Ritchie), under Coach Jenilee Keslering, finished with a podium worthy sixth spot in Team Routine Finals. Top 25 Figures results were turned in by two members of this strong team, Amber Mealing (18) and Shannon Blaney (23).

Continuing DSC’s presence upon the podium was the Jr. FINA team, lead by DSC Head Coach, Holley Lundmark, who captured an amazing fifth place in Eastern Canada. Team members Heather Clarke, Katie Gagnon, Stephanie Geller, Alycia Halyk, Ellen Hamilton, Hannah Koke, Rachel Nickerson and Venessa Trajanos displayed great determination in achieving their goal. Adding to their impressive skills display, two Jr. FINA team members ranked within the top ten in individual Figures: Stephanie Geller (7) and Alycia Halyk (10).

DSC Jr. FINA Team
Not in Order: Rachel Nickerson, Venessa Trajanos, Ellen Ritchie, Katie Gagnon, Hannah Koke
Heather Clarke, Alycia Halyk, Stephanie Geller

Durham Synchro’s duet teams displayed no lack of finesse and artistry during the Duet Team Preliminaries and Duet Team Finals. Long standing duet partners Alycia Halyk/Rachel Nickerson and Heather Clarke/Katie Gagnon illustrated technically strong routine performances in a very challenging field. During Preliminaries, the Nickerson/Halyk duo held onto 13th position to later place 13th overall in Duet Routine Finals. Team Clark/Gagnon achieved similar results with a 13th place overall finish in Duet Routine Finals after a 12th place swim in Preliminaries qualifying them to Pre-swim in Duet Team Finals.

With fine tuned technical skills and an emphasis on precision and artistry, the DSC National Teams once again delivered quality results during early season competition. With coaches carefully monitoring each step of their journey through extensive, rigourous practice schedules and endurance strengthening dryland training sessions, these teams have benefited from the experience and guidance of a dedicated coaching staff. Competing under the Synchro Canada umbrella, DSC’s 16-18 Yr. Old and Jr. FINA teams will be travelling to Calgary, AB to compete at the 2011 Canadian Open Championships and National Team Trials (NTT), April 25- May 1, 2011 to be held at the Talisman Sport Centre, hosted by the Calgary Aquabelles. From June 1-5, 2011 DSC’s 13-15 Yr. Old National Team will be competing in the 2011 Espoir Championships and 13-15 National Team Trials (NTT) at a location to be announced at a later date.