Ohio State Recognized by U.S. Synchronized Swimming – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Artistic Swimming
Sept. 16, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Department of Athletics was named the 2003 U.S. Synchronized Swimming Award winner last weekend at the annual United States Aquatic Sports Convention in San Diego, Calif. The U.S. Synchronized Swimming honor “recognizes individuals outside the sport of synchronized swimming who have made significant contributions to the development of our sport on the national or worldwide level.” The Buckeyes have won 23 national championships in 26 years of competition, including the last four consecutive seasons.
“Mary Jo Ruggieri (former Ohio State head coach) and Phyllis Bailey (former associate athletics director) have both done so much for our sport,” Linda Witter, Ohio State head synchronized swimming coach, said. “They put synchronized swimming on the map long before any other school did. Ohio State has been so well represented because of the pioneer work both these women have done. Additionally, Miechelle Willis (Ohio State senior women administrator and associate athletics director) and Andy Geiger (Ohio State director of athletics) have been instrumental by continuing to show support for the Ohio State program and fostering the future of the program.”
