member spotlight Catalina Nedelcu Riverside Aquettes, 2010 11-12 National Team


Catalina was a member of the 11-12 Pan-American Age Group gold medal team. She also earned a gold medal in the solo event. Here are some fun facts about Catalina!


Q: How many years have you been doing synchro? A: This is my 4th year in synchro.


Q: What is your favorite color? A: My favorite color is blue.


Q: Do you have any pets? If so what kind? A: I have a gray cat and his name is Figaro.


Q: What is your favorite song to swim to?


A: My favorite song to swim to is ‘Amphibia’ which is a French-Canadian song.


Q: If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?


A: One thing that I could eat for the rest of my life is bread and butter.


Q: What is your favorite movie/TV show? A: My favorite movie is Mamma Mia!


Q: Who is your synchro icon? A: My synchro icons are my head coach from my club, Sue Nesbitt, and my National Team 11-12 coach from last year, Sara Lowe.


Alexa Tchekmarev Walnut Creek Aquanuts, 2011 Solo National Champion


Alexa was a member of the Junior National Team in 2010 that competed at the FINA Junior World Championships. She also fin- ished first in solo at the 2011 Junior National Championships and third in solo at the 2011 Senior National Championships. Keep reading to learn more about Alexa! Q: How many years have you been doing synchro?


A: I started synchro at 8 years old on the Troy Synchro Sharkettes and moved to the Walnut Creek Aquanuts at 15. Overall, I have been doing synchro for 9 years.


Q: What is your favorite color?


A: My favorite color is Black. It is my favorite color because it is a classic and sophisticated color that will match with anything you wear.


Q: Do you have any pets?


A: No, I do not have any pets but I have always wanted a pet panda.


Q: What is your favorite song to swim to?


A: I like swimming a warming up to any type of dance or pump up music.


Q: If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?


A: If I could eat anything for the rest of my life it would have to be bacon and Nutella.


Q: What is your favorite movie/TV show?


A: My favorite movie is Harry Potter (all of the movies), and my favorite show is Project Runway.


Q: Who is your synchro icon?


A: My synchro icon is Elvira Khassaynova who is part of the Russian National Team. She is a 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist and has won numerous World Championships. Elvira is my icon because she is one of the most hard working and committed athlete I have ever met. She has been one of the biggest supporters in my life ever since I have set foot into a pool. I have always looked up to her and wanted to be like Elvira since I was little.


Kim Kohut Brecksville Blue Dolphins, National Judge


Kim is currently the head coach of the Brecksville Blue Dolphins in Cleveland, OH. She has recently earned her Na- tional Judges credentials and completed her degree as an education specialist from Kent State University.


Q: How many years have you been involved in synchro?


A: I have been involved with competitive synchro for 14 years. I was involved with a non-competitive team for 9 years, so my grand total synchro involvement is 23 years!


Q: What is your favorite synchro memory?


A: My favorite synchro memory was watching the 1996 team win the Olympic Gold medal in Atlanta, GA. I watched it at home and taped it on my VCR. I still have the tape!


Q: What is your favorite movie? A: My favorite movie is Top Gun.


Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?


A: My favorite vacation spot is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. The air is so fresh and the water of Lake Superior is so clean and clear.


Q: What is your favorite color? A: My favorite color is a tie between pink and purple.


Q: If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?


A: I believe ice cream should be its own category on the food pyramid, so I would choose that.


JULY 2011 USASYNCHRO.ORG 11


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