US Collegiate Nationals 2011

The Wheaton College synchronized swimming team recorded its highest finish at a U.S. Collegiate Championship since 2002, as the Lyons placed sixth out of 21 teams

Results

Synchronized Swimming Championships

March 16 - 19 Tonowanda, NY

Overall Team Trophy

Ohio State University 193.0

Stanford University 290.0

University of Incarnate Word 375.0

Canisius College 463.0

Lindenwood University 562.5

Wheaton College 648.5

Gator Synchro 747.0

University of Richmond 834.5

Wheaton College synchronized swimming junior Christiana Butera (San Diego, CA/Academy of Our Lady of Peace) is believed to be the first NCAA Division III swimmer named to a U.S. national team, as she was one of 12 athletes selected to represent her country at the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships from July 16-31 in Shanghai, China.

The roster includes five returning athletes from the 2010 national team that took sixth at last year's competition. Team USA began training on January 24 in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of USA Synchro national headquarters and sponsor Saint Vincent Sports Performance (SVSP). With Butera in the midst of her college season, she will join the national team later this year.

"The whole thing seemed unreal," said Butera, referring to her reaction when learning she'd made the team. "I was in complete disbelief. Even when I realized I had a good chance of making it, I had no real concept of what that meant until they called my name. I was so incredibly proud, honored and excited."

Butera's selection comes on the heels of former teammate Laura Montes '10 being chosen as a member of Puerto Rico's national synchronized swimming team that competed last summer at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

WHEATON SWIMMER REPRESENTS!

USA Synchro Names

2011 U.S. World Championship Team

Indianapolis, Ind. –

USA Synchro named the 2011 National Synchronized Swimming Team

which will represent the United States at the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships later this

year. The elite international competition which features all four aquatics sports, will take place

July 16-31, in Shanghai, China.

The roster includes five returning athletes from the 2010 National Team which finished sixth at

last year’s FINA World Cup. Team USA will begin training on January 24 in Indianapolis, Ind.,

home of the USA Synchro National Headquarters and sponsor St. Vincent Sports Performance

(SVSP). The National Team will split training time between the IU Natatorium on the campus of

IUPUI and SVSP.

The 2011 National Team will be coached by

Mayuko “Mayu” Fujiki. Fujiki, who competed for Japan, earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. As a coach, Fujiki has served on the coaching staffs of Italy, Australia, Japan, Greece, Hungary, and most recently, Spain, where she led the 2010 Spanish National Team to an overall Gold Medal finish, topping synchro powerhouse Russia at the FINA World Trophy.

The 2010 U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Team includes:

Christiana Butera

(Wheaton College), Morgan Fuller (Sunnyvale, Calif.), Megan Hansley

(New Canaan, Conn.), Heidi Homma (Orinda, Calif.), Mary Killman (McKinney, Texas),

Danielle Kramer (Santa Clara, Calif.), Jourdan Meltzer (Oakland, Calif.), Michelle Moore

(Tonawanda,N.Y.), Leah Pinette (Bristol, Conn.), Brooke Taylor (Las Vegas, Nev), Lyssa Wallace

(San Antonio, Texas), Katy Wiita (Vancouver, Wash.) and Alison Williams* (Northridge, Calif.)