YMCA Synchro make top ten at Nationals!

Five ANA Synchro Routines Finish in the Top Ten at National Championship

Federal Way, WA – ANA Synchro closed out its season by placing five routines in the top ten of the 2014 U.S. Age Group National Championships, the largest synchronized swimming competition in the world, held last week in Federal Way, WA.  ANA Synchro was one of 80 teams from across the country that collectively sent 1000 athletes to compete for the top spots.  The national meet is open to athletes, ages 11-19, who qualify through a series of local competitions held earlier in the year. 

ANA Synchro athletes finishing in the top ten were:

·      Sachiko Hagiya of Andover; Maxie Zimmerman and Kate Quinn of North Andover – 6th in Trio, ages 16-17.

·      Sophia Ju, Grace Alwan, Nicole Carzo, Gloria McNamara, and Hagiya of Andover; Lily Koenig of Boxford; Evan Costanzo, Zimmerman and Quinn of North Andover – 8th in Team, ages 18-19.

·      Ruby Remati of Andover – 9th in Solo, 12 & Under

·      McNamara – 10th in Solo, ages 18-19

·      Ju and Alwan – 10th in Duet, ages 13-15

“Placing five routines in the top ten at this national meet was an outstanding way to finish our season,” says ANA Synchro Head Coach Leah Pinette.  “I was so pleased to see everyone record their best swims of the season.  This is exactly the kind of momentum we want as we start thinking about next year.”  This was the first season that Pinette has coached for ANA Synchro.  She is a 9 time US National Team member and the former captain of the 2011-2012 U.S. Olympic Selection Team. 

Also qualifying for and competing at the meet, recording season-best swims were:

·      Gates Bryan, Courtney Chan, and Naomi Turner of Andover; Laila Cross of North Andover; and Epke Paquette of Groveland – 16-17 Team

·      Helen He, Lakshita Motwani, Emerald Tan, and Melinda Zhang of Andover; Katie Wojcik of North Andover; and Kyra Donahue of Methuen – 13-15 Team

·      Carzo and Koenig – 16-17 Duet

·      Ju, Alwan, and Remati – 13-15 Trio

·      Wojcik and Zhang – 11-12 Duet

The official part of the season may be over, but the team will not be idle this summer.  ANA Synchro is offering a Learn-to-Synch class for newcomers as well as weekly clinics where athletes can refine skills and maintain conditioning.  Contact Head Coach Leah Pinette for more information:  978-685-3541, lpinette@mvymca.org.