
(front, l to r): Kaitlyn Madden, Anjali Tanna, Rachel Hu, and Kristina Madden
(back, l to r): Tanvi Tanna, Ella Sharon, and Nicole Shen
Photo/submitted
Region – Members of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts’ competitive synchronized swim team, the Synchro-Maids, have qualified to participate in the 2015 U.S. Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics. The event will be held Friday, June 26 through Saturday, July 4 in Greensboro N.C.
Competing in the 16-19 age group is: Kaitlyn Madden, Kristina Madden, Anjali Tanna, and Tanvi Tanna, of Shrewsbury; Eva Zink, of Auburn; Tanya Singh, of Grafton; Lacy Miner, of Millbury; Paige D’Amico, of South Grafton; and Crystal Ma and Ella Sharon, of Westborough.
Competing in the 13-15 age group are: Maureen Flanagan, of Boylston; Isabelle Nguyen, of Lancaster; Rachel Hu, of Northborough; Ananya Jain and Nicole Shen, of Shrewsbury; Olivia Picotte, of Uxbridge; and Elena Liu, of Grafton.
The YWCA Synchro-Maids has 28 team members with members of all ages and levels of ability. They compete regionally and nationally including the Bay State Games and US Synchro sponsored events. The Synchro-Maids put on water show every year in March as a way to draw attention and awareness to the sport of synchronized swimming.
On Tuesday, June 23, the YMCA will be hosting an Olympic Day. The Synchro-Maids will be showcasing their Junior Olympics routines from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Local youth ages 6-17 are also invited to join the team in the pool to try this exciting sport.
Synchronized swimming has been an Olympic sport since the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. It is one of four recognized water sports next to swimming, diving and water polo. Since 2000 the Olympics have featured only the duet and team competitions. Swimmers compete individually during figures, and then as a team during the routine. Figures are made up of a combination of skills and positions that often require control, strength and flexibility. Synchronized swimming demands advanced water skills, and requires great strength, endurance, flexibility, grace, artistry and precise timing, as well as exceptional breath control when upside down underwater.
The YWCA of Central Massachusetts is located at 1 Salem Square, Worcester. For more information call 508-791-3181or visit www.ywcacentralmass.org.