April 13, 2010
U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships
Stanford will travel to Huntersville, N.C., for the 2010 U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships at the Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics center, Apr. 14-17. More than 100 elite athletes will vie for national titles in the solo, duet and team events in the nation's most prestigious competition. The 2010 U.S. National Championships will mark the 65th year of national competition in the duet and team events and the 61st year of solo competition.
Competing in the solo competition for the Cardinal are freshman Jessica Guenther and senior Gayle Lee, while seniors Debbie Chen and Taylor Durand will perform their duet routine at the championships. In the free routine competition, Chen, Durand, Guenther and Lee will be joined by sophomore Alexandra Bollaidlaw, freshman Madison Crocker, junior Corinne Smith and sophomore Koko Urata.
Recap Of 2009 U.S. Nationals
The Cardinal placed fourth at last year's U.S. Nationals, which it hosted at the Avery Aquatic Center on the Stanford campus. Stanford finished third in the team competition with a score of 93.083, while Chen and Durand placed seventh in the duet event. The Ohio State University captured the U.S. Nationals title a year ago.
Stanford Finishes As National Collegiate Runner-Up
The Stanford Synchornized Swimming team finished as the 2010 U.S. Collegiate runner-up for the second straight season with 82 points. The Cardinal hosted the U.S. Collegiate Championships at the Avery Aquatic Center from March 11-13. The Ohio State University won its second consecutive title, finishing with 96 total points.
The Cardinal finished second to the Buckeyes in the team compeition with 94.875 points. Soloist Jessica Guenther took fourth with 89.125 points, while Stanford claimed third and fourth in the duet. Sophomores Maria Koroleva and Olivia Morgan edged Durand and Chen for third place with 92.500 points. In the trio competition, Durand, Koroleva and Morgan placed second with 93.000 points, while Crocker, Morgan Fuller and Michelle Moore came in fourth tallying 90.125 points.
Following the competition, six Cardinal swimmers were named Collegiate All-Americans - Chen, Crocker, Fuller, Koroleva, Moore and Morgan. Durand was named an honorary Collegiate All-American. In addition, Chen and Koroleva were the high point title winners.
Sit Down With Cardinal Seniors
As the 2010 season comes to an end with the U.S. Nationals, two Stanford seniors, Debbie Chen and Taylor Durand, will be concluding their careers for the Cardinal. GoStanford.com sat down with the pair to reflect on their time at Stanford.
How do you feel going into this last collegiate competition?
DC: It feels surreal. I've been doing synchro for 13 years, and the past four years have been the most memorable. Collegiate athletics has provided me with such unparalleled life lessons and relationships. Nearing the end of my journey, I look back and am just in awe of how much I have learned and experienced at Stanford. For Nationals, I am looking forward to having our best swims, ending on a high note, and most importantly, soaking in and enjoying each moment.
What is your favorite Stanford synchro memory?
DC: My favorite times with my teammates will always be dinner times at the away meets. We usually all gather in one hotel room to eat, and just have a lot of fun joking around and talking.
In terms of competition, my favorite memory would be the feeling we all experienced after our Collegiate team swims my junior and senior year. I remember not having to worry about the scores, the coaches, or anything. We all just knew that it was a phenomenal swim. The adrenaline rush after having a performance like we did is unforgettable.
Do you have any future plans that could involve synchro?
DC: I would definitely like to stay involved in synchro and help it reach its potential as a sport.
Reflect on your time here at Stanford...
TD: All of my memories from Stanford Synchro are incredibly vivid. Certain songs and pictures take me back to competitions and seasons, and I can't help but smile or crack up laughing. This last competition is going to be really emotional for me.
I'm really looking forward to starting a new phase of my life that doesn't involve 20 hours a week in chlorine, but I can't imagine that I'll ever really remove myself from the sport. Swimming for Stanford is the best thing imaginable ending to my synchro career and I will always be thankful for the opportunities, experiences and friendships.