Synchronized Swimming Holds Annual Team Banquet – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Artistic Swimming
May 11, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State synchronized swimming team held its annual banquet Wednesday night. In addition to team awards, the Buckeyes honored seniors Lauren Byrom, Leslie Edgerton, Carly Grimshaw, Chelsea Luker, Megan Mikulecky, Stephanie Raftery and Erin Schmidt. The squad also paid tribute to Jessica Beck, who died in September prior to the beginning of her senior year.
Becky Kim (Jr., Walnut Creek, Calif./Walnut Creek Aquanuts) was the first recipient of the Jessica Beck award. The honor is given to the athlete who possesses dedication and spirit to the sport of synchronized swimming. Kim also received the Most Outstanding Swimmer Award for her efforts during the season. A 2008 Olympic hopeful, Kim won five regular-season solo routines, including recording a team-high 95.667 at the Ohio Invitational Jan. 29. Kim finished second at the 2006 U.S. Collegiate National Championships in Palo Alto, Calif., and the two-time member of the U.S. National Team I squad was fifth at the 2006 U.S. National Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Grimshaw (Sr., Markham, Ontario/Synchro Optima) and Luker (Sr., Montreal, Quebec/Montreal Synchro) earned the `A’ team Buckeye award, which is awarded to those who exhibit an excellent understanding of being a team player. The seniors paired up in 2006 to compile six first-place duet routines. Finishing second at the collegiate national championships, the duo owned a team-best 95.833 during the season (William & Mary Feb. 12). At the U.S. national championships, Grimshaw and Luker finished eighth to cap their OSU careers. The `B’ team Buckeye award went to Erin Schmidt (Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Synchrogators). Schmidt also was the recipient of the Carmen Ohio award, which is presented to a senior who exemplifies outstanding leadership and team spirit. Schmidt was a part of the `B’ team that had consistent performances throughout the season and finished third at the collegiate national championships.
Ashley Rule (Jr., San Jose, Calif./Santa Clara Aquamaids) earned the JoAnn Ferguson Kale Award for her excellence in the classroom. Rule, who was a member of the `A’ team and a part of the fourth place collegiate national trio routine with Grimshaw and Luker, will graduate with a degree in political science in three years.
Kendra Sollars (Arizona Aqua Stars) a freshman from Scottsdale, Ariz., was honored with the Most Improved New Swimmer Award, which credits the swimmer who has improved during the 2006 season. Sollars finished first in the `B’ figures competition (72.526) at the 2006 U.S. Collegiate National Championships and was a staple on the Buckeye `B’ team.
Michelle Benzie (So., El Cajon, Calif./Sweetwater Dolphins) earned the Most Improved Swimmer accolade. Benzie was a member of the `A’ team that finished third at the collegiate national championships.
Collegiate All-America honors went to Grimshaw (honorary), Hacker, Kim, Luker (honorary) and Moraes.
