Santa Clara Aquamaids at 2014 National Championship

   April 12, 2014 ““ Imagine performing a rigorous gymnastics or dance routine”¦ in a diving pool”¦ without touching the bottom”¦ while upside down”¦ in a beautiful yet demanding display of grace, flexibility, choreography, teamwork, endurance and strength. That is the sport of synchronized swimming, an event at the Summer Olympics since 1984 and a point of pride for the Santa Clara swimming community since the early 1960s.  This year, the Santa Clara Aquamaids (“SCA”) continue making waves with their tradition of excellence and victories.

   At the recent USA Synchro National Championships in Arizona from April 8 ““ 12, an adept group of young swimmers representing SCA achieved outstanding success against a high level of competition from across the country.  They were led by a team of accomplished coaches, including head coach Chris Carver who is former coach of three U.S. Olympic teams which won gold and bronze medals from Atlanta to Athens and has been named United States Synchronized Swimming Coach of the Year for an unprecedented 14 years.

SCA’s athletes were awarded 2014 US Junior National Championship Club High Point by finishing with 123 total points, which was more than twice the total points awarded to the second highest competitor.

Here are some highlights of SCA athletes’ achievements: 

·    The 13-15 group (which was added to 2014 US national championship for the first time) won gold for every event including team, duet, solo, & combo, and added several silver and bronze medals.

·    The junior group won numerous silver and bronze medals for every event as well (even though the club’s top 4 swimmers are part of the US National Junior Squad and thus did not compete for SCA in this meet).

·    The senior solo gold and bronze medalists also from SCA