2006 Synchronized Swimming Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Artistic Swimming
Jan. 12, 2006
A team led by a group of experienced swimmers, as well as an assembly of young talent, the 2006 version of Ohio State synchronized swimming looks to reclaim its status as the No. 1 squad in the nation after falling short of winning the national title in 2005. The Buckeyes, who were clipped by Stanford by just eight points at the 2005 Collegiate National Championships, boasts a returning cast that includes four All-Americans, as well as U.S. National and Great Britain team members. OSU also welcomes a trio of rookies, who will have immediate impact on a team that has been forced to overcome adversity early in the season. The Buckeyes were faced with the sudden death of teammate Jessica Beck and following the loss, the team regrouped and decided to dedicate the 2006 season to the 21-year-old Beck, who would have been returning for her senior year.
The Buckeyes also are excited about competing in a new facility, the Bill and Mae McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. The 14,156 pool is the new home to OSU synchronized swimming and the team could not be more enthusiastic about entering an era that will further extend their dominance in the collegiate ranks.
“We are certainly thrilled about the new facility,” Linda Lichter-Witter, head coach said. “We are excited about all the little things, such as the new lighting and temperature of the pool. It’s like moving into a new house. We are one of the hardest working teams at Ohio State and even though we are the underdog this season, we will give it a good Buckeye fight.”
UPPERCLASSMEN
The senior class is comprised of Lauren Byrom, Leslie Edgerton, Carly Grimshaw, Chelsea Luker, Megan Mikulecky, Stephanie Raftery and Erin Schmidt. Witter will look to this group of upperclassmen to spearhead the Buckeyes’ journey to the Collegiate National Championships in March. Veteran ‘A’ team members, Byrom, Grimshaw and Luker, will be featured on the varsity squad in 2006. Great Britain national team members Grimshaw and Luker combined for five first place finishes in duet during 2004-05 and there are plans for the duo to execute further dominance in the pool in 2006. Raftery, Schmidt, Edgerton and Mikulecky will see action on an OSU ‘B’ squad that finished third at the 2005 Collegiate National Championships a year ago.
The junior class will be included in the mix of Buckeyes expected to catapult Ohio State to the top of the collegiate synchronized swimming standings at the end of the season. Becky Kim, who is a member of the U.S. National Team I squad, and an added member to the 2006 Buckeye ‘A’ team, will continue to contribute to Ohio State’s successes this season, after thriving in 2004-05. In 2005, Kim was a part of several routines, competing as a soloist, as well participating in several duets and trio performances. 2006 will be no different, as Witter is prepared to place Kim in various situations to help the Buckeyes win its 25th national title.
‘A’ team member Ellen Hacker also will be heavily relied on as a junior leader. As one of three swimmers on the trio team with Kim and former Buckeye Lindsay Newbill in 2005, Hacker helped OSU execute several Top 3 finishes throughout the season. Familiar with the expectations of being a part of the ‘A’ squad, Ashley Rule also will be a vital contributor this season. Brook Paul, who is projected to be on the ‘B’ team, will provide additional experience, as she too will supply her knowledge of the sport.
SOPHOMORES AND NEWCOMERS
The sophomore class has one year of experience to build off of and are coming along well, Witter said. Furthermore, the freshmen additions will offer important depth to the team. Four underclassmen will be featured on the ‘A’ team. Sophomores Michelle Benzie, Leah and Leayn Pinette, in addition to freshman Carmen Moraes will be joining a squad that finished second at the 2005 Collegiate National Championships and fourth at the U.S. National Championships. Both Leah and Leayn have extensive experience in the upper echelon of U.S. synchronized swimming, having finished third in duet at the U.S. Open as members of the National Team II squad. Second-year swimmers Julia Broadfoot and Erin DeMarco also will showcase their potential, as both look to improve on the ‘B’ team second-place showing at the collegiate nationals.
In addition to Moraes, the Buckeyes also welcome freshmen Jayme DeLancy and Kendra Sollars. Both Delancy and Sollars will compete on the ‘B’ team, further helping the Scarlet and Gray solidify itself as a solid competitor in 2006.
2006 SCHEDULE
The 2006 schedule features nearly the same opponents from a year ago. The Buckeyes will kick off the season with the OSU Tri-Meet (vs. Keuka and Michigan) Jan. 21 before traveling to Athens, Ohio, to compete in the Ohio University Invitational (Jan. 29). The Scarlet and Gray return to the Bill and Mae McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion in Columbus, where it will play host to the OSU Collegiate Association Meet Feb. 4. The squad is back on the road, facing Richmond (Feb. 11), William & Mary (Feb. 12) and participating in the Walsh Invitational (Feb. 18), wrapping up the regular season schedule.
The postseason commences with the North Regional Championships March 4, preceding the Collegiate National Championships (March 23-25) and the U.S. Senior National Championships (April 27-29).
‘A’ Team Squad
Michelle Benzie
Lauren Byrom
Carly Grimshaw
Ellen Hacker
Becky Kim
Chelsea Luker
Carmen Moraes
Leah Pinette
Leayne Pinette
Ashley Rule
Erin Schmidt
‘B’ Team Squad
Michelle Benzie
Julia Broadfoot
Jayme DeLancy
Erin DeMarco
Leslie Edgerton
Megan Mikulecky
Brooke Paul
Stephanie Raftery
Erin Schmidt
Kendra Sollars
