The U.S. national synchronized swimming team finished 10th in the team technical final Monday at the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
The U.S. scored 83.4289 points, just behind Mexico (84.8431) and France (85.1794). Host Russia won the event with 95.7457 points.
“The girls had more energy, and it was overall a better swim than prelims,” U.S. national team coach Myriam Glez said. “We could have been a little closer to France and Mexico if we had not made a couple of mistakes. That will be our goal for the future. We need perfect synchronization and better energy and sharpness.”
The U.S. team members who competed in the team technical final are: Anita Alvarez (Kenmore, N.Y.); Claire Barton (Los Gatos, Calif.); Olivia Ekberg (Gilbert, Ariz.); Mary Killman (McKinney, Texas); Mariya Koroleva (Concord, Calif.); Sandra Ortellado (Walnut Creek, Calif.); Karensa Tjoa (San Jose, Calif.); and Alison Williams (Northridge, Calif.).
Mary Killman was in eighth place after the solo free preliminary (Getty Images).
Team USA’s Mary Killman (McKinney, Texas) is in eighth place after scoring 86.800 points in Monday’s solo free preliminary. The final is Wednesday night.
“She had a great swim, probably her best so far,” Glez said. “She scored a full point ahead of France and just a little more than a point behind Italy. We are all very happy, and we think she can swim even better in the final.”
Russia’s Natalia Ishchenko led the way with 96.500 points, followed by China’s Xuechen Huang (95.200) and Spain’s Ona Carbonell (94.500).
Bill May (Cicero, N.Y.), coming off a historic gold medal-winning performance with Christina Jones (Fremont, Calif.), returns to action in the mixed duet free preliminary Tuesday. May will partner with Kristina Lum Underwood (Las Vegas, Nev.), a 2000 Olympian with whom he won four national duet titles.
May and Jones won the first mixed duet free gold medal in a FINA-sanctioned event on Sunday.
Also competing Tuesday will be the U.S. duo of Anita Alvarez (Kenmore, N.Y.) and 2012 Olympian Mariya Koroleva (Concord, Calif.) in the women’s duet free preliminary. The U.S. also will take part in the team free preliminary.
About USA Synchro
USA Synchro was established as a nonprofit organization in 1977, and is the United States national governing body for the sport, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Committee and FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur) – the international governing federation. USA Synchro organizes, participates in, and promotes a variety of competitive events each year. These events begin at the local level and continue in the following categories: Senior (15 & O), Junior (15-18), Junior Olympic (19 & U), Collegiate and Masters (20+).
Swimming News courtesy of USA Synchro.
The US synchro team used to be one of the best in the world. Better than Russia and China. What happened? They are now behind Mexico. What a huge drop.