U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Championships Begin at Stanford

PALO ALTO, California, May 1. THE 2009 U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Championships made a splash at the Avery Aquatic Center today with competition in the preliminary free events. Natalia Tarasova of Canisius College led the way in the solo event with a score of 93.000. Ohio State's Barb Nesbitt and Santa Clara's Layla Smith both posted a 92.667 to finish the day in a second-place tie.

In today's duet action, Santa Clara's Mary Killman and Layla Smith occupied the top position with a 94.500. 2008 U.S. Olympic Team members Meghan Kinney and Becky Kim of Ohio State finished the day in the second spot with a 93.667, while Stanford's Maria Koroleva and Olivia Morgan grabbed the third place position by recording a 93.167.

The team preliminary competition resulted in a tie between the Ohio State University and the Santa Clara Aquamaids (95.000). Stanford University followed with a mark of 93.667.

Today's free routine scores will be combined with Friday's technical routine scores to determine the qualifiers who will advance to finals. Finals competition will take place on Saturday with eight routines per event.

More than 100 elite athletes are competing for national titles in the solo, duet and team events in the nation's most prestigious competition. The 2009 U.S. National Championships mark the 64th year of national competition in the duet and team events and the 60th year of solo competition. Synchronized swimming requires a combination of strength, precision, grace and teamwork, and is considered a culmination of swimming, gymnastics and dance.

Tickets for Friday's competition are $8 and $5 with a Stanford ID. Tickets for finals on Saturday are $15 and $10 with a Stanford ID.

Saturday's finals events can be viewed live via webcast. Log on to www.TeamUSA.org and click on the "synchro" tab. For more information pertaining to the 2009 U.S. National Championships, contact Taylor Payne at taylor@usasynchro.org or (317) 507-3410.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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