Eleven Golds for Synchronized Swimmers at Eastern Zone Meet

            The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas Synchronized swimming team traveled to Westfield, NJ over the weekend of June 7-8 and came home with eleven gold, two silver, and two bronze medals from the Eastern Zone Championships.  There were 285 competitors aged 15 and under representing teams from across the Eastern Zone.  New Canaan’s girls qualified to swim at this meet by placing in the top 4 routines at the recent regional competition.

            For the Intermediate girls, this was their end of year championship meet and they excelled with seven golds, two silvers and three bronze in their events. In compulsory figures, Emma Flynn took the silver in the 10 and under group.  Alexandra Lin followed on with a silver in the 11-12 group while Rebecca Trinklein captured the gold medal in the 13 and over category.

             In solos, New Canaan took golds in all three categories- Flynn was first in 10 and under solos; Lin won the 11-12 group and Sarah Dittmeier captured gold in the 13 and over category.  Duets brought home two more medals with the duet of Elissa Feist and Trinklein taking the gold and Anisha Khosla and Priya Wadhwa coming in third in the 13 and over group.  Two more medals followed in trios with gold going to Trinklein, Anastasia Lenskiy and Lauren Mayhew in the 13 and over group and bronze to the 10 and under trio of Katie Farrell, Camilla Kline and Teresa Salamone.

            Last up for the intermediate girls were the team events.  The 10 and under team of Katherine Connolly, Eileen Flynn, Annabel Hendrick and Camilla Kline finished fourth, just out of the medals.  The 11-12 team of Alice Chidley, Ashley Evans, Katie Farrell, Emma Flynn, Alexandra Lin, Natalia Londono, Teresa Salamone and Ophelie Tousignant brought home a bronze medal. 

            The 13 and over team won the gold medal in their group.  The team of Maureen Connolly, Feist, Molly Flynn, Lenskiy, Mayhew, Trinklein, and Wadhwa won with a score of 52.278, beating the second place Canton Tailspinners (50.425).

            “We were so pleased with the Intermediates this season” said Coach Thea Bardin.     There is a lot of talent in this group and we look forward to them moving in to the Age Group category as they become ready for a higher level of competition.  The Intermediate level is a great training ground and they’ve had a lot of success this year across the Zone.”

            The Age Group competitors then took to the pool and captured four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.  The first gold went to Sierra Rojas-Thomas for her solo.  Sierra won with a score of 48.488 in the 10 and under group. 

            The next two golds went to Marina Hoffman.  Hoffman took the gold in the compulsory figure event in a field of 94 swimmers.  Her second gold was in the 13-15 solo event.  Hoffman won with a score of 64.94; Anna Fetter of the Westfield Y Aquaducks (63.198) took the silver medal.  “This was Marina’s final trip to the Eastern Zone Age Group meet as she will be 16 next year.” said Coach Jen Muzyk. “She has traditionally done well at this meet.  Last year she took the silver in 13-15 figures and the gold in 13-15 duets and trios with her partners. We were thrilled that she won her two golds this year.  It’s a great way to go out.”

            Coming off of strong results at Regionals, the 11-12 Age Group girls continued their winning ways. The 11-12 duet of Isabella Montgomery and Erin Wheeler took the bronze medal; gold went to the York Synchro-ettes and silver to the Hamden Heronettes.  In trios, Montgomery was joined by Diya Banerjee and Selena Lui and they again took the bronze (52.954).  Tonawanda took the gold and Westfield the silver in this event.

             “The real wow was the 11-12 team event” said Coach Krista Bessinger.  “They were tied with Tonawanda after the free routine and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.  At that point, they add in the compulsory figure scores and you also get extra points for having more girls on your team.  It was all up to the math at that stage.  When I heard their name for the gold medal, I was overwhelmed.  That meant that our figure scores must have been awesome because we only have a team of 6 and Tonawanda has a team of 8.”  New Canaan’s 11-12 Age Group team of Banerjee, Anisha Khosla, Liu, Montgomery, Rojas-Thomas and Wheeler won with a score of 53.319, beating the Tonawanda Aquettes (53.227).

            The 13-15 team won the silver medal in their team event.  The team of Abby Butcher, Laura Cardi, Amelia Clark, Alison Commender, Amanda McKenzie, Ankita Mukherjee, Jennifer O’Neill and Mina Shah had a score of 59.699.  Gold went to the ANA Synchers (61.466).

            New Canaan Aquianas Erin Wheeler (11-12) and Mina Shah (13-15) were named to the East Zone All Star Team.  Swimmers qualify for this team based on figure results and a split test.  The All Star team will be working together at Keuka College this summer.

            Next up for the Age Group swimmers are the ESynchro National Age Groups in Binghamton, NY beginning June 27.

            For those interested in trying synchronized swimming, the New Canaan YMCA Aquianas will be hosting three two-week camp sessions this summer for boys and girls aged 6-14.  The camp runs from 8:30 to 12 at the YMCA from July 7-18, July 21- Aug 1 and August 4-15. Participants will learn basic synchronized swimming skills, including extension, sculling and body positions. In addition, participants will learn to swim together to music and learn a routine.  For further information, contact Coach Krista Bessinger at 966-4528 Ext 173.