March 26, 2009
San Antonio, Texas - Stanford Synchro got the National Collegiate Championships off to a solid start in the semifinals of the duet and trio competitions. The Cardinal finished near the top of both competitions to set themselves up for the finals, which take place on Saturday.
"All our routines had great swims today," said assistant coach Alison Bartosik. "They were very energetic and fueled by loud fans. I'm excited to carry our momentum into tomorrow."
It is the 33rd annual U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships this year hosted by the University of Incarnate Word at the Josh Davis Natatorium. The event which will run through Saturday, March 28, is an open-class meet, combining competition from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III and NAIA colleges and universities. More than 200 of the top athletes from the collegiate scene are competing for titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events.
In the duet, Stanford was led by the team of Maria Koroleva and Olivia Morgan. The Stanford freshmen finished with a score of 92.500 to finish second. The team of Meghan Kinney and Becky Kim had the top score of 93.500.
Finishing fourth was the Stanford team of Taylor Durand and Debbie Chen. The more experienced duet for the Cardinal finished with a score of 91.500.
In the trio competition the Cardinal finished with the third and fourth highest scores going into the final. Placing third was the team of Durand, Koroleva and Morgan with a score of 91.500. Just behind them was the team of Erin Bell, Chen and Michelle Moore with a score of 90.500.
Teams from Ohio State took the top two places in the trio competition.
Stanford did not have a soloist compete, choosing instead to enter both `A' elements and `B' figures during Friday's competition. However, Ohio State also had the top soloist as Barb Nesbitt finished with a score of 93.500.
The Cardinal will be back in the pool tomorrow fir the elements and figures events. The first points of the meet will be awarded at the conclusion of the events. Most of the points will be awarded in Saturday when the finals of the solo, duet, trio and team competition take place.