Gold for Synchronized Swimming Trio

The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas trio of Alison Commender, Dana McLachlin and Mina Shah brought home a gold medal from the 2009 East Zone Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships that were held February 13-15 at the New Canaan YMCA. Their score of 70.35 beat out the Capital District YMCA Sculpins' trio who took the silver with a score of 69.82.  Coach Krista Bessinger noted "It's the first year for this trio to be swimming together so winning gold  is a great way to start.  They are very strong as a trio".

There were a total of 193 swimmers in the meet representing teams across the Northeast region.  Juniors are swimmers 13-18 years old and the events are not broken out into age categories.

The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas team of Julianne Beck,Laura Cardi, Amelia Clark, Sarah Dittmeier, Amanda McKenzie, Jennifer O’Neill, Mina Shah, Rebecca Trinklein (and alternate Ankita Mukherjee) took 4th place in the team event with a score of 69.12.  The Tonawanda Aquettes captured the gold with a score of 71.16.  "Our team swam  well in this event.  Last year they had a seventh place finish so this was wonderful to come in fourth.  There are a lot of very strong teams in our region this year" said Junior Team Coach Jen Muzyk.

Two of New Canaan's  swimmers were named to the  2009 East Zone Junior Championship 13-15 Year Olds All-Stars team.  Based on compulsory figure results and a split test, Julianne Beck and Mina Shah were named to the All-Star team.

The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas now head  for their next meet which is the Senior Zone Championship March 13-15 in Buffalo, NY.