03/24/07 - U-M Synchro finishes 3rd amongst clubs and 10th overall 2007 U.S. Collegiate National Championships

Norton, MA - The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team capped off its successful 2006-2007 season with a Top Ten finish at the 31st U.S. Collegiate Championships, held March 22-24. The Championships are an open-class meet of over 200 athletes, combining competition from NCAA Divisions I, II , and III and NAIA colleges and universities. The U-M Synchro Team finished 3rd among club teams and for the second time in three years, improved more in ranking than any other team (up from 16th in 2006 and 19th in 2004). Highlights included four appearances on the championship podium, including a gold and silver medal in figures, and two routines progressing to Finals on Saturday. [Full Results]

Michigan's trio of junior Rochelle Ross and freshmen Emily Terwelp and Diandra Pratt earned the team its highest score of the competition (82.833) and exceeded expectations to become one of only two club teams to progress to Finals in the event with an overall rank of 13th. In the Team event, Michigan's performance in semifinals also earned them a swim in Finals, where they posted an overall score of 81.000. The Team included Ross, Terwelp, Pratt, seniors Aubree Akers, Jennifer Heindel, Amanda Dine and Jessica Galimore, and sophomore Megan Muma. The two Finals swims were only the second time since the early 1990s that Michigan has progressed routines to the final day of competition; in 2006 Ross earned 13th in solo to perform as pre-swimmer at Finals.

Friday's Figure competition proved to be highly successful for the team, as they qualified for points in each of four figure categories and earned four podium finishes. U-M Synchro took Top-Ten overall in each category, with 10th in A, 8th in B, 7th in C, and 2nd in D. Michigan earned 3 out of the top 10 places in D Figures, with Akers, Galimore, and freshman Sarah Williams taking 1st, 2nd, and 8th respectively out of 65 competitors. Pratt earned the team its first C Figure top-ten Nationals finish with 8th place, with junior Courtney Benkovsky close behind in 15th. In the highly competitive A and B divisions, Terwelp placed 3rd and Ross 4th among club competitors.

The team next performs at their annual Water Show, to be held Saturday, March 31 at 6pm at Canham Natatorium. General admission is $5; student admission is $3.