Rachel Lau, Monta Vista Named USA Synchro Swimmer of the Month

Sixteen-year-old high school junior Rachel Lau of Cupertino, Calif., was named the SwimOutlet.com March Swimmer of the Month by USA Synchronized Swimming. She is a member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids and has been swimming for five and a half years.

Lau has raised public consciousness of synchro swimming by inviting friends, extended family, school and other office staff members to Santa Clara Aquamaids’ exhibitions. She actively shares videos, photos, news and info on social media sites, such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram to spread awareness of synchro.

Lau attends Monta Vista High School, a California Blue Ribbon high school, and works hard at her challenging Advanced Placement courses, such as Biology and Chinese, as well as at the electives she enjoys, including Dance, Photography, and Principles of Business. Lau maintains a 4.07 GPA and her PSAT/NMSQT score was in the top 1%.

In addition to her hard work academically, Lau demonstrates the energy and drive to make time for volunteering and helping others. She helps out at school by tutoring other students in various subjects, and is viewed by her peers as a leader and a supportive person who is willing to help people out at the expense of her own studying. Lau also volunteers at an obstetrics clinic to gain knowledge while helping on medical research. She also worked on a self-initiated project designed to help motivate positive change for her peers, which included interviewing her district’s congressional candidate, Ro Khanna, about issues concerning high school students who plan to go to college.

Synchronized swimming has been Lau’s athletic passion since 2010, and she has been able to keep pace with the elite athletes, including those who have devoted many more years to the sport. This year, Lau was named to USA Synchro’s Junior National Team 1 and will compete at the 2016 FINA Junior World Championships in Kazan, Russia. She has represented USA in several international events such as Nationals in 2016 (Bronze in solo, Gold in Team and Combo); the UANA Pan American Championships in 2011 (Gold in Team), 2013 (Gold in Team), 2014 (Gold in Duet and Team); the Mediterranean Cup in 2014 (Bronze in Combo, 4th in Team and 5th in Duet); and the China Open in 2015 (Gold in Figures, Team, and Combo).

Lau is described as a hardworking individual who is passionate about everything she does, and who puts her all in her activities. She trains an average of seven hours a day, which requires her to make many sacrifices for her sport. She appreciates the results of her physical and mental training, and her high-level involvement in synchronized swimming has made her aspire to be a physical therapist. As a physical therapist, she could help out athletes in many ways and teach them the right way to treat their bodies.

Story by SwimOutlet.com. the largest online specialty shop for swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo, fashion, beach and surf products in the US and is a proud supporter of the initiatives that help the aquatic community. SwimOutlet.com is a sponsor of USA Synchro and is pleased to honor synchro student athletes that embody synchronized swimming, academic and community involvement. www.swimoutlet.com