Synchronized Swimming Plays Host To Michigan – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Artistic Swimming
Jan. 23, 2003
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State synchronized swimming welcomes the Wolverines of the University of Michigan for competition in a dual match. Routine events will begin at approximately 1 p.m. at the Varisty Pool in the Mike Peppe Aquatic Center. The order of events will include solo, duet and trio.
LAST TIME OUT – OSU TRI-MEET
The Buckeyes kicked off its 2003 season in style with wins over Miami (Ohio) and Walsh University Saturday (Jan. 19) in a tri-meet at the varsity pool at the Mike Peppe Aquatic Center. The Buckeyes ended the meet with a team total of 92.0 points, ahead of the Cavaliers (75.0) and Marlins (31.5).
Freshman Chelsea Luker finished first in the solo event with a score of 90.883 while teammate Heather Burdick placed second with a 87.167 mark. Luker and Lauren Marsh teamed up to win the duet competition (90.166) while Brianne Pineiro and Isla Turner finished second in the event (86.500). Bethany Galla, Laura Green and Erin Schmidt combined for a winning effort in the trio routine with a score of 87.000.
FORMER BUCKEYES EARN SPOTS ON OLYMPIC TRIALS TEAM
Three former Ohio State synchronized swimmers have earned spots on the 2003 United States Olympic Trials Team. Gina Pietras (1994-97), Becky Jasontek (1994-97) and Mary Hofer (1999-2002) were named to the squad this week and will have the opportunity to compete for the United States National Team that will compete in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games to be held in Athens, Greece. The 2003 U.S. Senior National Team will represent the United States against the world’s best at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona. The team also will compete at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo and the 2004 Olympic Qualifying Open in Athens.
The squad of 13 will regroup in March at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for further evalution. In May, the group will be cut from 13 to a delegation size of 10 for the World Championships, and will once again downsize to nine in May of 2004 for the Olympic Games.
The trials process began at the 2002 U.S. Nationals and progresses over four phases throughout the year. The athletes are tested in eight technical elements, then evaluated by 13 judges during each of four pre-determined routine swims. All scores throughout the trials process are confidential until teams are announced.
CURRENT BUCKEYES NAMED TO U.S. TEAM II
Current Buckeyes Victoria Bowen, Suzanna Hyatt and Lindsay Newbill were three of 12 members named to the 2003 U.S. National Team II. The squad will compete at the 2003 United Airlines Open July 15-19 in Federal Way, Wash.
2003 SEASON OUTLOOK
The Buckeyes kick off the 2003 season after winning three-consecutive national championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002. While a bulk of last year’s championship team has graduated, including Carolina Moraes, Isabela Moraes, Mary Hofer, Beth Kreimer and Kristin Price, the squad will focus on gaining more experience for its underclassmen.
The leadership of the 2003 Buckeye team will come from seniors Victoria Bowen, Suzanna Hyatt, Sharon Mejia, Katie Meyer and Kris Moyer. Bowen and Hyatt finished fourth in the trio event at the 2002 Collegiate National Championships with former teammate Beth Kreimer. Bowen recieved her third All-America nod while Hyatt earned her second.
Sophomores Laura Green, Valerie Jolibois, Mary Elliott and Isla Turner have quality experience in the figures event, among others. Classmates Heather Burdick, Stacey Coffman and Mejia have previous experience in the trio event, while Burdick also performed in the solo last season. Marjorie Ardito, Bethany Galla and Lauren Marsh also will look to contribute for the Buckeyes this season.
The Buckeye squad also includes 11 newcomers. Sophomore Brianne Pineiro, originally from Staten Island, N.Y., spent her freshman year as a member of the Miami (Fla.) swim team before transferring to Ohio State. Classmates Chisako Ukai, orginially from Nagano City, Japan, and Eniko Takyu, a native of San Jose, Calif., also have joined the Buckeye squad this season. The freshman class includes Jessica Beck, Lauren Byrom, Leslie Edgerton, Carly Grimshaw, Chelsea Luker, Megan Mikulecky, Stephanie Raftery, and Erin Schmidt.
The Buckeyes begin the season by playing host to the OSU Tri-Meet with Miami (Ohio) and Walsh. The OSU Tri-Meet is one of four home events for the scarlet and gray. The home slate includes a dual meet against Michigan (Jan. 25), the OSU College Association Meet (Feb. 8) and the North Regional Championships (March 1). The 2003 Collegiate National Championships are scheduled for March 24-27 in Tuscon, Ariz.
GET TO KNOW COACH WITTER
Linda Witter enters her seventh season as head coach of the Ohio State synchronized swimming team after leading the Buckeyes to three-consecutive National Championship wins in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Witter is no stranger to winning national titles, marking her fifth such win in seven years as the Ohio State mentor. Just the third head coach in the history of the sport at Ohio State, she has maintained the Buckeye tradition of dominance in synchronized swimming. Witter began her coaching career in 1970 and during her 33 years of involvement with synchronized swimming, she has become one of the most respected coaches in the sport. Witter received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Southern Connecticut University in 1972.
2002 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Brazilian Olympians Carolina and Isabela Moraes ended their senior season in style by helping the Ohio State Buckeyes to the school’s 22nd overall title at the U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships in Norton, Mass.
The Buckeye twins utilized lengthy underwater hybrids to win duet gold with a final score of 96.333. Stanford’s Erin Dobratz and Lindsey Wigginton – both members of the U.S. National Team program – finished second at 95.000. The Moraes sisters teamed up with Mary Hofer of Spring Valley, Calif. to win the trio’s fourth Collegiate gold with a score of 97.333. Stanford’s top trio of Dobratz, Wigginton and Norris finishd a point back at 96.333.
Carolina Moraes and Stanford’s Katie Norris created a first occurrence of their own in the sport of synchronized swimming. Moraes and Norris earned a perfect tie of 95.833 in the solo final to share the event’s gold medal.
There was no tie in the team event, however, with Ohio State capturing gold with a score of 98.167. Swimming for Ohio State were Hofer, Victoria Bowen, Suzanna Hyatt, Kim Lester, Isabela Moraes, Beth Kreimer, Lauren Marsh, and Kristin Price.
The overall title is Ohio State’s third consecutive, and 22nd overall title in the 26th year of the championships.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes return to action next Saturday (Feb. 1) with a dual meet at Alabama-Birmingham.
