U-M Synchro earns first place in two divisions, places 3rd overall at Gator Invitational

2/2/08 - The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team took home first in the B and D figure divisions at the 2008 Gator Invitational, but it wasn't enough to best teams from the varsity University of Incarnate Word and club program from the University of Florida. Senior Rochelle Ross earned first place in the B figure division with a score of 73.521, behind one exhibition swimmer from UIW and ahead of both UIW and UF athletes. Sophomore Sarah Williams picked up her second win of the season in D figures, with a score of 58.757; sophomore Ayumi Ueda was close behind in second with 56.180. In A Elements, sophomore Emily Terwelp earned a career best with a score of 76.987, taking 7th. Junior Megan Muma took home 4th in C Figures, with an overall score of 65.787 and one-tenth from 3rd. Michigan was locked in a close race with Florida in the routine division, with both its A Duet and Trio within 2 points of Florida to earn 4th (80.833) and 5th (77.000) place respectively. Terwelp took 2nd place in the solo division with a score of 81.667, behind Lyssa Wallace of UIW. Michigan's novice team took 4th in their first competition of the season. Coach Stephanie Sherk commented: "These early meets are an invaluable indicator of our strengths and weaknesses as a team, and I'm pleased at our prospects looking forward to our home meet and the upcoming Regional Championships." Michigan returns to action on Sunday, February 17 for the 2008 Maize & Blue Invitational, welcoming Ohio University, Miami University, Michigan State, and University of Illinois.