STANFORD, Calif. – The defending Collegiate National Champion Stanford synchronized swimming team wrapped up a busy weekend Sunday at the Avery Aquatic Center. The Cardinal hosted Lindenwood University and The Ohio State University, all three earning a national title the last three years.
On Saturday, all three teams competed in the Stanford Invitational, where an appreciative crowd of nearly 400 spectators braved cool, overcast conditions to watch three of the nation's premier programs battle in four routines. The Cardinal swept the tri-meet, finishing with 101 points. Ohio State was second with 86 and Lindenwood was third with 61.
"It was even better than I expected," said Stanford head coach Sara Lowe.
Clare McGovern won the solo routine with a score of 84.6667; Sandra Ortellado and Erica Slavin won duo with a total of 83.0000; Ortellado, Slavin and McGovern claimed the trio with a score of 84.0333; and Ortellado, Slavin, McGovern, Marisa Tashima, Isabella Park, Rachel Hyon, Amanda Urke and Karen Li combined to win the team routine by recording 86.2333.
Tashima, Park and Hyon also placed second in trio with a score of 83.0667, while Elle Billman, Dylan Harding, Natalie Fletcher, Lily Randhawa and Gillian Brasil finished fourth in team by posting 81.1167.
"This was a really good opportunity for us to see how we stack up," said Lowe, whose squad will use the results to prepare for the Western Regionals in Tucson, Arizona on March 5, followed by the Collegiate National Championships, March 22-25 in Columbus, Ohio. "We know what we have to work on. We feel like we are right on target to hit our goal at the end of the season."
Lowe singled out juniors McGovern, Ortellado and Slavin.
"They have a big job this year," said Lowe. "They're the three on our team that have three routines."
She also praised the hard work of Li, who was promoted from the second unit (Aliens) to first team (Crocodiles).
"She learned it in two days," Lowe said. "That routine is very complicated and there are a lot of quick transitions. We're very proud of her."
On Friday night, Stanford competed against Lindenwood in technical competition, with the Cardinal prevailing 30-23. On Sunday, Stanford outscored Ohio State, 21-12.
Prior to Saturday's competition, senior co-captains Park and Tashima were honored for their contributions and leadership. Park, a native of Palos Verdes, California, is a human biology major and two-time All-American, while Tashima, a product design major from Lafayette, California, has earned the distinction three times.
"It's going to be hard to lose them because they really embody what Stanford is," Lowe said. "They have taken advantage of everything the university has to offer. They've really built this team, put the fire in their belly this season and carried on a great tradition. They are great athletes and people."
Stanford Invitational Tri-Meet Results
Solo
1. C. McGovern, Stanford, 84.6667
2. E. Baranski, Ohio State, 84.3000
3. A. Haylor, Lindenwood, 83.0000
Duet
!. S. Ortellado, E. Slavin, Stanford, 83.0000
2..E. Baranski, E. Davidson, Ohio State, 82.7000
3. L.Hack, A. Hoying, Ohio State, 82.1000
Trio
1. S. Ortellado, C. McGovern, E. Slavin, Stanford, 84.0333
2. M. Tashima, I. Park, R. Hyon, Stanford, 83.0667
3. L. Hack, A. Hoying, M. Velazquez-Stiak, Ohio State, 81.6667
Team
1. Stanford, 86.2333
2. Ohio State, 85.3667
3. Lindenwood, 83.3333
