YMCA Synchro Team Goes to Nationals in Seattle

ANA Synchro to Compete at US Nationals

Billerica, MA – Every ANA Synchro Age Group athlete achieved the qualifying score necessary at last weekend’s NESSA Regional Championship meet to advance to the 2014 Age Group National Championships, where they will take on the best teams in the country.   ANA Synchro’s Intermediate athletes will also advance to the East Zone Championships to be held in New Canaan, CT in early June.

Months of training have certainly paid off for this local team of synchronized swimmers.

“All of our athletes looked really strong,” said Head Coach Leah Pinette.  “The team has been working very hard throughout the season, and we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum into the final weeks of our season.”  Although this is Pinette’s first year coaching ANA Synchro, she’s certainly not new to the sport.  ANA’s Head Coach is a 9 time US National Team member and the former captain of the 2011-2012 U.S. Olympic Selection Team.

Age Group Results:

Teams: 13-15 Team (Silver) - Helen He, Lakshita Motwani, Emerald Tan, and Melinda Zhang of Andover, Katie Wojcik of North Andover, and Kyra Donahue of Methuen; 16-17 Team (Bronze) - Gates Bryan, Courtney Chan, and Naomi Turner of Andover, Laila Cross of North Andover, and Epke Paquette of Groveland; 18-19 Senior Team (Silver) -  Nicole Carzo, Sachiko Hagiya, Sophia Ju, Gloria McNamara, and Grace Alwan of Andover; Kate Quinn, Maxie Zimmerman, and Evan Costanzo of North Andover, and Lily Koenig of Boxford.

Soloists:  Ruby Remati of Andover (Gold) - 11-12 Age Group; Quinn (Gold) - 16-17 Age Group; and McNamara (Silver) - 18-19 Age Group

Duets:  K. Wojcik and Zhang (Bronze) - 11-12 Age Group; Ju and Alwan (Silver) - 13-15 Age Group; and Carzo and Koenig (Silver) - 16-17 Age Group

Trios:  Alwan, Ju, and Remati (Silver) - 13-15 Age Group; and Carzo, Zimmerman, and Hagiya (Gold) - 16-17 Age Group

Figures:  Remati (Gold) - 11-12 Age Group; Alwan 4th (13-15 Age Group); Quinn (Gold), Zimmerman (3rd), and Carzo (4th) (16-17 Age Group), and McNamara (Gold) 18-19 Age Group

Intermediate Team Results:

Teams: 13 & Over Team (Silver) - Lauren Feng and  Anna Ionescu of Andover, Olivia Freund and Caitlin Robinson of North Andover, Katerina Guerrero and Liah Santana of Lawrence, and Jessica Liu of Reading; 11-12 Team (Bronze) - Mia Hayes, Olivia Liera, Bridget Mahoney, and Noa Margolin of Andover, Maitri Naik of Methuen, and Alexandra Zvagelsky of Derry.

Soloist:  Erika Wojcik of North Andover  (Silver) - 10 & Under Intermediate

Duets:  E. Wojcik and Pia Lee of Andover (Silver)  - 10 & Under; Guerrero and Robinson (Gold) - 11-12; and Santana and Liu (Gold)  - 13 & Over

Trio:  Ionescu, Freund, and Feng (Silver) - 13 & Over

It’s back in the pool for this Andover/North Andover YMCA-based team as they prepare for the national stage where they will compete in the largest synchronized swim meet in the country, US Age Group Nationals held in Seattle, Washington. 

# # #

For more information, contact Head Coach Leah Pinette at 978-685-3541, lpinette@mvymca.org.

Caption for attached picture:

Andover/North Andover YMCA’s ANA Synchro synchronized swim team qualifies for US Nationals after competing at Regional Championships.  Top Row (standing, left to right):  Coach ZsuZsa Belhazy, Lily Koenig of Boxford, Grace Alwan of Andover, Kate Quinn of North Andover, Gloria McNamara of Andover, Gates Bryan of Andover, Laila Cross of North Andover, Epke Paquette of Groveland, Naomi Turner of Andover, Coach Erica Courtmanche.  Middle Row (left to right):  Coach Candace Ju, Nicole Carzo , Sophia Ju,  and Sachiko Hagiya, all of Andover, Evan Costanzo of North Andover, Courtney Chan of Andover, Maxie Zimmerman of North Andover, Head Coach Leah Pinette.  Bottom Row (left to right):  Lakshita Motwani and Ruby Remati of Andover, Kyra Donahue of Methuen, Helen He and Melinda Zhang of Andover, Katie Wojcik of North Andover, and Emerald Tan of Andover.