Alexandroupolis, Greece (September 7, 2014) “” Ten Santa Clara Aquamaids swimmers ages 13″“15 competed at the 2014 Mediterranean Cup in Alexandroupolis, Greece, from September 4 ““ 7. This is the highest level international competition for this age group, and more than 200 athletes from twenty-six countries including many top ranked synchronized swimming ones such as Russia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Canada, Japan and France participated. Although most of the countries were represented by their national team, Santa Clara Aquamaids entered its club athletes and competed in an outstanding manner against great odds. After the final results were tabulated, these athletes helped the United States achieved the 4th highest total points of the Cup… Mediterranean Synchronished Swimming Cup
The Aquamaids squad earned the first Bronze medal for United States for the ten swimmer Free Combination routine to get on the podium at this prestigious European synchronized swimming competition. The Free Combination routine is a relatively new event that leans more strongly toward the artistic side of the sport and one which the audience enjoys. This is also the first time U.S. stood on the podium in the Mediterranean Cup championship in more than 5 years. The dream team (Photos Attached) consisted of Emily Anger, Camryn Carrasco, Nikki Dzurko, Hailee Heinrich, Rachel Lau, Emily Lu, Jacklyn Luu, Anna Piskun, Rachel Ye and Gracie Young under the guidance of coaches Heather Carrasco and Robin McKinley. Five of these team members, Anger, Carrasco, Lau, Luu and Ye also made up part of the 13-15 U.S. National team that took Gold at the UANA Pan American Championships back in August. Check out the first video recording below of the winning Combo routine.
The eight member team of Anger, Carrasco, Dzurko, Heinrich, Lau, Luu, Ye and Young also had an amazing 3rd place finish in their Free Team final routine score, and after combining their technical figure scores they placed 4th in the challenging Team event behind powerhouses Russia, Spain, and Italy. See the 2nd YouTube video below for the recording of their Team routine.
The dynamic duo of Rachel Lau and Jacklyn Luu achieved the 2nd highest artistic impression score behind Russia and ranked 3rd place in Duet final routine score. After combining their technical figure scores, they placed 5th overall in the Duet event. View their Duet routine in the 3rd YouTube video below.
In the solo event, Jacklyn Luu placed 3rd in the preliminary routine score and earned 6th place overall. The 4th and final video is a recording of a Solo routine performed by Jacklyn Luu.
Nikki Dzurko led the Aquamaids team in the individual technical figures score by placing 26th out of total of 208 athletes who competed in this event.
In the much of the fifty years of Santa Clara Aquamaids’ existence, head coach Chris Carver has consistently demonstrated her Olympic medal winning choreography skills. Just one year ago, this team of swimmers and their coaches set out to achieve the goal of not only winning Gold at every American meet they attended, but trying to get U.S. back on the podium of an International meet and they succeeded.
“It was a pleasure to be able to work with this team during the 2014 season. This is a passion-driven team whose combined strengths are reminiscent of former USA winning teams. Their solid showing in all routine events bodes well for the future of synchronized swimming in the United States.” Said Chris Carver, “Hats off to the entire team and their leaders, Coach Heather Carrasco and Assistant Coach, Robin McKinley for a job well done!”.
For more details on the 24th annual Mediterranean Cup Championships results, please visit… Result
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