March 23, 2007
Stanford Synchronized swimming continued its strong performance, taking first place in the team competitions and winning the solo B figure competition as well. Stanford was able to win the trio, duet and solo team competitions. In the individual figure competition Taylor Durand and Gayle Lee placed first and second respectively. Jackie Mundy of Ohio State placed third in the individuals. This was the second day of the 31st annual U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships preliminaries. The 2007 U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships kicked off yesterday in Norton, Massachusetts at Wheaton College.
Stanford was also able to finish strong in the technical A competition finishing third behind Canisius College and University of Arizona. Since the competition is judged on an average of individual scores, Stanford's eight swimmers average score was right behind the scores of the sole swimmers for Canisius and Arizona. Through two days of the team competitions, Stanford is in first place with a score of 96.5 and right behind is Ohio State University. In a surprise result, Incarnate-Word sits in 3rd place with a score 92.0 and University of Alabama-Birmingham holds fourth place with a score of 91.3. Ohio State's B team currently holds the 6th spot which has been uncharacteristic for the Buckeyes.
With only selected events counted toward your overall point total, Stanford and Ohio State are tied for the competition lead with 10 points each, even though Stanford has won the individual and team competitions. The points are only used for seeding as tomorrow's results will count solely towards each school's ultimate standing in the competition.
"I think were in a good position," said head Coach Heather Olson on Saturday, "The point spread was fairly significant and the fact that we were judged ahead of Ohio State gives us confidence into the last day of competition."
Stanford will compete in all team and individual events Sunday in Norton, Massachusetts and will look to win their third straight national title. Olson continued, "We have to make sure to have flawless swims tomorrow though because that is what will get us to our ultimate goal in this competition."