University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming

03/03/07 - U-M Synchro takes 3rd overall and 1st among club teams at 2007 Regional Championships
The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team tallied 73.5 points to take third place overall and first among club teams at the 2007 North Regional Championships in Columbus, Ohio. The team took third place or higher in six out of eight events for U-M Synchro's best showing at the championships in recent years. Overall, No.-2 ranked Ohio State University took first place with 105 points and varsity team Carleton College second with 76.5. Defeated were Ohio University (59.5), Miami University (56) and University of Illinois (54.5). [Full Results]

The competition began with the Figure Competition, with U-M Synchro capturing first place in two out of four divisions. Freshman Diandra Pratt placed 1st in C Figures, with junior Courtney Benkovsky in 3rd, sophomore Megan Muma in 4th, and senior Amanda Dine in 8th out of 15 competitors. In D Figures, U-M swimmers took 3 out the top 5 places, with senior Jessica Galimore in 1st, senior Aubree Akers in 2nd, and freshman Sarah Williams in 4th out of 27 competitors. Junior Rochelle Ross placed 3rd in B Figures, earning the team first place in the division. Freshman Emily Terwelp earned the team 3rd place overall in her first A Elements competition.

In the Routine Competition, U-M Synchro exceeded expectations by taking 3rd place in the Team event with a score of 82.333, behind two OSU team routines and taking the first place amongst club competitors. The trio of Ross, Terwelp, and Pratt also took 3rd place with a score of 80.500, tying with Carleton College. The trio of Galimore, Dine, and Muma was not far behind, placing 5th with a score of 75.833. In the Duet Competition, seniors Aubree Akers and Jennifer Heindel took 4th with a score of 73.833. Terwelp earned her highest score of the season (81.333) in the Solo competition, taking 3rd place overall and first amongst club competitors.

The team next travels to Norton, MA on March 20 for the 2007 U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships, followed by their annual Water Show on Saturday, March 31 at 6pm.

02/17/07 - U-M Synchro sweeps all events at 2007 Maize & Blue Invitational
The University of Michigan Synchro team bested swimmers from Ohio University and Penn State University in all competing events to take first place at their annual Maize & Blue Invitational. First place finishers included the trio of sophomore Megan Muma, senior Jessica Galimore, and senior Amanda Dine; the duet of freshmen Emily Terwelp and Diandra Pratt; Terwelp's solo; and the team of Muma, Galimore, Dine, Terwelp, Pratt, junior Rochelle Ross, senior Jennifer Heindel, and senior Aubree Akers. Galimore took first place in D figures, Pratt first place in C figures, and Terwelp was the sole competitor in A elements. The team next travels to Columbus, OH on March 3rd to compete at the 2007 North Regional Championships, a qualifying event for the U.S. Collegiate National Championships.

01/27/07 - U-M Synchro takes third place overall at University of Florida Invitational
The University of Michigan Synchro Team took third place with an overall score of 69.5, defeating the University of Georgia and finishing only 0.5 points behind the University of Florida. Full results TBA shortly. The team next hosts several midwest universities at their annual Maize & Blue Invitational, Saturday, February 17.

09/30/06 - U-M Synchro launches "Out of the Pool" interviews with current team members
Beginning this fall, the U-M Synchro website will feature a periodic interview with a current Competition or Performance Team swimmer.

03/26/06 - U-M Synchro returns from 2006 Collegiate Championships with gold and silver medals in D Figures; Ross swims at finals and wins Mary Jo Ruggieri Scholarship
At a highly competitive national championship in which fewer club teams competed than in recent years, the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team placed 15th overall, improving its team routine ranking to 15th with a score of 75.167 (up from 16th at 74.250 in 2005). Sophomore Rochelle Ross advanced to perform her solo at finals on Saturday (13th place overall or 3rd among club competitors with a score of 80.667) and was also named winner of the 2006 Mary Jo Ruggieri Scholarship, which recognizes a swimmer who demonstrates outstanding achievements in swimming ability, team contribution, and community leadership. In the Figure competition, U-M Synchro brought home the top two medals in D Figures, with sophomore Courtney Benkovsky earning gold and junior Amanda Dine earning silver. Senior Erika Picciotto (9th) and junior Aubree Gerweck (10th) rounded out the top ten. Eight Michigan swimmers were named club division All Collegiate athletes, with Ross in 17th place, Dine and Picciotto tied for 38th, and Gerweck, junior Chelsea Malter, Benkovsky, junior Jessi Galimore, and freshman Megan Muma tied for 49th. The U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championship is an open-class event in which athletes from varsity and club programs at Div. I, II, III and NAIA institutions compete. Over 200 athletes qualified through their Regional Championships to compete at the 2006 National Collegiate Championships. [Full Results]

03/26/05 - Ten U-M Synchro athletes named Academic All-Americans at 2006 U.S. Collegiate Championships
The distinction honors athletes who have maintained a cumulative GPA over 3.25. U-M Synchro athletes honored during Saturday's Parade of Athletes were Courtney Benkovsky, Katie Davis, Amanda Dine, Aubree Gerweck, Chelsea Malter, Megan Muma, Erika Picciotto, Allison Richards, Rochelle Ross, and Ellie Toutant. The average GPA of the 2006 U-M Synchro Competition Team exceeds a 3.52.

03/04/06 - U-M Synchro takes 4th overall and 2nd among club teams, 5th in Team, and among top in Figures at 2006 Regional Championships; qualifies all routines for Collegiate Nationals
Despite a tough season plagued with numerous illnesses and injuries, U-M Synchro bested four other teams to take home 4th place overall and 2nd among club teams at the 2006 North Regional Championships in Columbus, OH. In the highly competitive Team event, "A" Team earned 5th place out of 12 and 2nd among 9 club routines. Sophomore Rochelle Ross exceeded expectations by placing 4th overall and 1st among club competitors in the Solo competition, earning her highest collegiate score to date (83.167). Ross also took home 2nd place in B Figures out of 9 competitors, and 1st among club competitors. Megan Muma earned 4th out of 19 competitors in C Figures, and 2nd among club competitors. Six U-M Synchro swimmers placed in the top ten in D Figures, taking four out of the five top spots; top finishers included Courtney Benkovsky (1st), Erika Picciotto (2nd), Amanda Dine (3rd), and Aubree Gerweck (5th). All six U-M Synchro routines qualified for the 2006 National Collegiate Championships, to be held in Stanford, CA March 23-26. [Results]

02/19/06 - U-M Synchro earns 1st place overall at 2006 Maize & Blue Invitational
Both the Competition and Performance teams of U-M Synchro helped the team to win first place at the annual Maize & Blue Invitational against the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. U-M Synchro swept all figure events and also took first place in the Team event. Eight out of the top ten places in D Figures were earned by U-M Synchro swimmers, with top finishers Courtney Benkovsky (1st), Aubree Gerweck (2nd), and Erika Picciotto (4th). Freshman Megan Muma took 1st place in C Figures. The Competition Team next travels to Columbus, OH for the North Regional Championships on March 4, 2006. [Results]

02/11/06 - U-M Synchro wins B figures, exceeds expectations at dual meet with Canisius College
Beset with illness and injury and on the heels of two cancelled meets, the U-M Synchro Team traveled to Tonawanda, NY to compete against the varsity Canisius College synchro team. Sophomore Rochelle Ross earned the team first place in the highly contested B Figure Division, and the "A" Team earned one of U-M Synchro's highest team routine scores in recent years (79.167). The team next hosts their annual Maize & Blue Invitational on Sunday, February 19 at Canham Natatorium. [Results]

01/21/06 - U-M Synchro takes 3rd at first routine meet of the season
Competing at The Ohio State University's new McCorkle Aquatics Pavilion for the first time, the U-M Synchro Team took home 3rd place against the highly ranked OSU and Keuka College teams. Illness kept both junior Amanda Dine and head coach Stephanie Sherk home from the meet. Sophomore Rochelle Ross took 5th place in "B" Figures; freshman Megan Muma brought home 3rd in "C" Figures, and top finishers in the "D" Figure category included junior Aubree Gerweck (1st), junior Courtney Benkovsky (2nd), and senior Erika Picciotto (3rd). [Results]

12/10/05 - U-M Synchro competes at Michigan Association "No-Frills" Figure Invitational
The U-M Synchro Team (both Competition and Performance teams) competed at the 2005 Michigan Association Figure Invitational, hosted by the Troy Synchro Sharkettes. The "no-frills" meet is an annual event in which novice, intermediate, age group, high school, and collegiate swimmers perform two figures as a way of easing into the competition season. The U-M Synchro Team was the sole collegiate team at the event, with both the "C" and "D" figure squads attending. Top finishers for the team included freshman Megan Muma, junior Amanda Dine, and senior Erika Picciotto, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in the "C" Division; and junior Jessi Galimore, junior Chelsea Malter, and freshman Ellie Toutant 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in the "D" Division. [Results]

10/16/05 - 2005-2006 U-M Synchro athlete roster finalized
Following a highly successful two-day tryout process, the coaches of the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team have finalized the rosters of the Competition and Performance squads of the 2005-2006 team. [more]

05/17/05 - U-M Synchro receives Varsity Club Status
Head coaches Becky Domegan and Stephanie Sherk received notice on May 17, 2005 that the University has granted the U-M Synchro program Varsity Club status. [ Press Release ]

04/11/05 - 2005 U-M Synchro award winners named
Recipients of the U-M Synchro Team's 2005 athlete awards were named at the team's annual end-of-season banquet. Top recipients included freshman Rochelle Ross for the Ruth Pickett Thompson Award and the Peggy Surabian Brady "Rookie of the Year" Award, graduate student Andrea Jones-Rooy for the Joyce Lindeman Camp Scholarship, and Diane Cederberg for the Marlene Rex Athlete Education Award. [more information on team awards and past recipients]

03/28/05 - Seven U-M Synchro athletes named Academic All-Americans at 2005 U.S. Collegiate Championships
The award recognizes athletes who have maintained a GPA of greater than 3.25. U-M honorees included sophomore Abby Calcutt, graduate student Andrea Jones-Rooy, sophomore Chelsea Malter, senior Niki Pancratz, junior Erika Picciotto, freshman Rochelle Ross, and senior Sarah Van Wesep.

03/28/05 - U-M Synchro finishes fifth among club teams, 13th overall at U.S. Collegiate Championships, March 24-26, 2005

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team finished the 2005 U.S. Collegiate Championship, held in Gainesville, FL, as the collegiate team, varsity or club, with the most improved standing year over year. The team finished 13th overall, an increase of six places from the 2004 Collegiate Championship, and a greater jump in ranking than any other competing team. The team also moved to fifth place overall among club teams, up from 10th place in 2004. Four U-M Synchro swimmers represented the team on the medal podium; seniors Sarah DuBay and Sarah Van Wesep, junior Erika Picciotto, and sophomore Katie Messana came 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th respectively in D Figures out of a pool of 68 competitors; the team's average in D Figures led to a fifth place finish among 15 teams in that division. Junior Amy Blanshard led the team to third place out of 17 teams in the C Figure division, and freshman Rochelle Ross's performance in B Figures brought home 7th place out of 15 competing teams. For complete team results, please visit our Results page. The team will next host its annual water show on Saturday, April 2, 6:30 pm at Canham Natatorium, with all Competition and Performance routines in attendance.

03/05/05 - U-M Synchro takes first in figure group, fourth overall at North Regional Championships, March 5

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team placed fourth overall and took home first place in C Figures and second in B Figures at the 2005 North Regional Championships, Columbus, OH, on March 5. Despite coming off a 1.5-week break from practices due to the University of Michigan spring holiday, as well as several extended absences due to illness, the team earned a total of 59 points, defeating University of Nebraska (54), Ohio University (53.5), Miami University (26), and University of Illinois (12), and placing behind Ohio State University (104), University of Minnesota (74), and Carleton College (70.5). In the D Figure competition, 4 U-M Synchro athletes placed in the top 5, and 8 in the top 12, out of a total of 53 competitors. The U-M Team was the highest scoring in the division; top scorers included sophomore Katie Messana (1st), sophomore Aubree Gerweck (2nd), junior Erika Picciotto (4th), and senior Sarah Van Wesep (5th). In C Figures, junior Amy Blanshard and senior Sarah DuBay helped the U-M team earn first place overall, earning 3rd and 9th place, respectively. Freshman Rochelle Ross placed 5th in B Figures, earning the U-M 2nd place in that division. The U-M Synchro team routine of Messana, Van Wesep, Blanshard, and DuBay (with Ross as alternate due to illness) placed 5th in team, and the team routine of Picciotto, Gerweck, Jen Heindel, Andrea Jones-Rooy, Kelly Monahan, Niki Pancratz, Marianna Reynolds, and Chelsea Malter (with Jessi Galimore as alternate) earned 8th place. The U-M Synchro Team next travels to Gainesville, FL on March 22 for the U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships, hosted by the University of Florida, March 24-26.

Following a strong showing at the 2005 Maize & Blue Invitational on February 20, where the team placed 2nd overall, the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team was featured in the February 21 The Michigan Daily sports section. Reporter Colt Rosensweig visited the team during practice the prior week, interviewing the coaches and several swimmers, and also attended the Feb. 20 meet. The article, "Synchro Team Swims to Surprise Finish," can be accessed online at The Michigan Daily website.

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team continued their outstanding season performance with a second-place finish at the 2005 Maize & Blue Invitational, held at Canham Natatorium, Ann Arbor, MI. [Full Results] With a total score of 82, the team finished behind Ohio State University (102) but ahead of Walsh University (75) and Grand Valley State University, despite several scratches due to illness. U-M athletes Amy Blanshard, Sarah DuBay, Katie Messana, and Sarah Van Wesep took second place in the team event; Jessi Galimore, Katie Messana, and Erika Picciotto placed third in trio. Senior Sarah DuBay earned second place in the solo event. The U-M Synchro team next travels to Columbus, OH on March 5 for the North Regional Competition.

02/05/05 - U-M Synchro places second overall at Ohio State University Association Meet, February 5, 2005

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team took second place at Ohio State University's annual Association Meet on Saturday, February 5, with a total of 70.5 points. [Full Results] Ohio State placed first with 104.0, William & Mary third with 67.0, Ohio University fourth with 63.5, and Miami University fifth with 38.0. Among U-M's top scorers were freshman Rochelle Ross (2nd in Solo and 6th in B Figures), junior Amy Blanshard (3rd in Trio and 3rd in C Figures), and sophomore Katie Messana (1st in D Figures and 4th in Trio). The meet was U-M Synchro's fifth of the season. The team will next host the annual Maize & Blue Invitational, Sunday Feb. 20 at Canham Natatorium. [Meet Announcement]

01/29/05 - U-M Synchro earns second place at Keuka College Tri-Meet, January 29, 2005

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team earned second place overall at the Keuka College Tri-Meet on Saturday, January 29, with a total of 88 points, behind Keuka College (97) and ahead of Penn State (18.5). [Full Results] Standout performances included the team of Amy Blanshard, Sarah DuBay, Katie Messana, Rochelle Ross, and Sarah Van Wesep, who took second place in the team event; the trio of Blanshard, Ross, and Van Wesep, who took second in that event; and freshman Ross, who took second in solo. Junior Blanshard placed second in C Figures, while sophomore Messana earned first place in D Figures. The overall result was an improvement on the team's third place finish at the OSU Tri-Meet, held January 15. The team next travels to Columbus, OH on February 5 for the Ohio State University Association Meet.

11/14/04 - U-M Synchro hosts brunch in honor of former coach and long-time supporter Joyce Lindeman

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team hosted a formal brunch on Sunday, November 14, 2004 honoring former coach and long-time synchro supporter Joyce Lindeman. Held at the Michigan League, attendees included U-M Synchro athletes from the past and present, as well as many friends and family members. Introducing Joyce was Ruth Pickett Thompson, former National Team athlete and member of the U-M Synchro team from 1977 to 1981. As Joyce traced the team's history since its inception in 1946, several former athlete and coaches shared personal stories, including Virginia Nicklaus, Curt and Gus Stager, Pat Daugert, Connie Ahrens Atia, Cindy Kincaid, Kim Young, Kathleen O'Brien Romani, Erin O'Brien, Nancy Moore, and current coaches Becky Trombley Domegan, Stephanie Dionne Sherk, and Alice Knoebel. [Event photos]

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team launched a new website and official team logo on September 1, 2004. The new website has several additional features, including a section focusing on recruiting, an online catalog of team merchandise, a tour of the team's practice facilities, and an expanded "About U-M Synchro" section. Questions about the website should be addressed to the webmaster, coach Stephanie Sherk. The official team logo was designed by Eric Boehm of EB Web Designs, LLC. The logo will be used on 2004-2005 team merchandise and promotional materials.

08/31/04 - U-M Synchro to host Beginner/Novice Clinic on Sunday, September 26, 2004

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team will host a Beginner/Novice Clinic to be held at Canham Natatorium on Sunday, September 26, 2004. The clinic will commence at 9am and run until approximately 4pm. Primary clinicians will be the co-head coaches of U-M Synchro, Becky Domegan and Stephanie Sherk, as well as other area coaches and advanced athletes. Registration is open to all individuals over the age of 7 (college-age included) who are new to the sport or have novice experience and will be limited to 50 swimmers. Basic synchro skills will be taught/improved, and participants will learn a short routine which will be performed at the end of the clinic. For a schedule, payment information, and registration form, please access the Official Clinic Announcement and Registration Form. Please contact synchro@umich.edu with any questions.

08/27/04 - U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team captures two bronze medals at Athens

The U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team, consisting of nine elite athletes from across the United States, defied expectations and brought home two medals from the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik captured bronze in the duet event with a final composite score of 96.918. Another bronze medal was awarded to the U.S. in the team event with a final composite score of 97.418. Results and photos can be accessed at the United States Synchronized Swimming website.

04/07/04 - Freshman athlete Aubree Gerweck awarded 2004 U-M Synchro Summer Camp Scholarship

First-year athlete Aubree Gerweck of Monroe, MI, was awarded the 2004 University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Summer Camp Scholarship. The $500 grant is awarded at the end of each season to a current non-graduating U-M Synchro swimmer following an application process. Aubree attended the UofA Splashcat Summer Camp in Tucson, AZ, led by University of Arizona head coach Jill Ranucci. As part of her scholarship, Aubree will give a presentation of key lessons learned from the camp to her teammates and coaches in early fall.

04/07/04 - U-M Synchro awards athletes at annual banquet; DuBay and Van Wesep share Wolverine Award

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team held its annual end-of-season awards banquet on April 7, 2004. Always a much-anticipated event, the awards are voted on by the athletes and coaches. Key winners of 2004 awards include: Sarah DuBay and Sarah Van Wesep, joint winners of the Wolverine Award for best work ethic, contribution to the team, and potential to achieve greatness; Kelly Monahan, Most Improved/Competition; Abby Calcutt and Rachel Anscher, joint winners of Most Improved/Performance; Amanda Dine, Rookie of the Year/Competition; Chelsea Malter, Rookie of the Year/Performance; Erika Picciotto, Best Spirit/Competition; Erica Hobbs, Best Spirit/Performance; Amanda Dine, Hardest Worker/Competition; Katie Davis, Hardest Worker/Performance; Erika Picciotto, Best Attitude/Competition; Rachel Anscher, Best Attitude/Performance; Allegra Glashausser and Stephanie Ingham, joint winners of the Academic Award/Competition; Sara Schafer and Phoebe Kwan, joint winners of the Academic Award/Performance. Also honored were the team's six outgoing senior members: Cathy Chappell, Allegra Glashausser, Gillian Hann, Stephanie Ingham, Alice Knoebel, and Sara Schafer.

03/27/04 - U-M Synchro hosts 2004 U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team hosted the 2004 U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships, held March 25-27, 2004 at Canham Natatorium. More than 250 athletes from 29 universities were on hand competing for collegiate national titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events. The championships are an open-class meet, combining competition for NCAA Divisions I, II and III, plus NAIA schools and clubs. More information, including results and photos, can be accessed at the United States Synchronized Swimming website.