AT H L E T I C S
The whole team and coaches after the Free Team competition
Masters Synchro Celebrates Top Finishes at Nationals By Michelle Kinz MAC Synchro Masters brought the heat in Oro Valley, Arizona, as the team attended the USA Artistic Swimming Masters National Championship from Oct. 19-Oct. 22, 2023. Their hard work produced multiple first-place finishes, a second place, and a seventh place, plus many emotional moments for the team. The year 2023 saw an adjustment of age groups for team routines, and MAC Synchro had two teams compete: a 35-49 age group team that brought the pop diva energy with routines to Lizzo and Dua Lipa, and a 50-64 age group team with a high-energy Rihanna medley. The 35-49 team, consisting of Michele Bennett, Marni Davis, Ali Gearheart, Elaine Henriksen, Michelle Kinz, Lydia Kirkland, Marissa Montejano, Kristen Schmedemann, Jen Sterrett, and alternate Felicia Montejano, swam colorful, sassy routines and secured first place overall. The Dua Lipa Tech routine placed second, while the Lizzo Free routine placed first in a tight competition. The 50-64 team, consisting of Jeanine Cavagnaro, Karen Kelsall, Joan Kruse, Jini Miller, Maria Nicholson, Lynn Pettitt, Julie Vigeland, and Bethany Baber, shone bright like diamonds in their high-energy Rihanna-themed Tech and Free routines. The team swam to a seventhplace finish in both Tech and Free, for a final placement of seventh.
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MAC Synchro small routines had an incredible showing, bringing home two golds and one silver. A team highlight was the gold medal finish in the 70s Duet for Vigeland and Pettitt, who swam to a Samba routine. Vigeland and Pettitt have swam together for many years, and this is their highest placement, which led to an emotional celebration of many years of friendship. The 40s Trio consisting of Bennett, Henriksen, and Kirkland defended their first-place finishing routine (a Blackpink medley) from the International Gay and Lesbian Alliance games in London, England, this summer with another gold at Nationals. The 30s Trio of Davis, Kinz, and M. Montejano nabbed a solid silver, swimming to a flapper routine after adjusting from two sets of duets including F. Montejano. The incredible finishes would not have been possible without the support and guidance of the team coaches, Lucie Svrcinova and Bethany Baber. With MACs commitment to excellence and the coaches’ support, MAC Synchro Masters had a fun and successful 2023 season!
