This weekend the No. 2 Stanford synchronized swimming team headed to St. Peters, Missouri to compete in its first event of the season at Lindenwood University. The team finished first overall, besting host Lindenwood, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) and the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Club.
Synchronized swimming, commonly nicknamed “synchro,” consists of four main events: solo, duet, trio and team, with individual skills called “elements” and “figures” factored into the overall score. This weekend Stanford captured first-place finishes in three of the four main categories, with freshman Jessica Guenther winning the solo competition and sophomores Olivia Morgan and Maria Koroleva taking first in the duet. With help from senior Taylor Durand, they also took first in the trio. Additionally, sophomore Alex Bollaidlaw claimed the top spot in the elements competition, rounding out a solid first showing for Stanford.
No. 4 UIW proved to be the greatest competitor for the Card, taking second overall and first in the team competition.
“This past weekend was our team’s first opportunity to compete all together,” Durand said. “I can’t say it went exactly as we’d hoped, but it was an important experience in learning what we need to do in order to achieve our goals in six weeks at Collegiate Nationals. Overall, we are feeling positive and re-motivated to strive for excellence and we’re excited to compete in front of our friends and families at home next weekend.”
This season brings new challenges for Stanford and its “Romeo and Juliet” themed team routine, as three of Stanford’s top swimmers are seeking places on the national team and are thus unable to participate in the team competition at NCAA Nationals.
Stanford synchronized swimming will continue its competition season on Feb. 13-14, hosting the University of Arizona. Eventually, the team will also host the NCAA Nationals from Mar. 11-13. Stanford came in second against Ohio State at last year’s NCAA Finals after winning four consecutive national titles.