ATHLETICS
Synchro Athletes Reach for High Goals
T
he synchro program continues to produce and develop talent as evidenced by the recent accomplishments of its athletes.
History was made with Katy Wiita’s appointment as a member of the U.S. national team 1 in January. Sixteen- year-old Wiita has more than doubled her normal training hours since relocating to train with this team in Indianapolis. Her team competes in the FINA world champi- onships in Shanghai, China, in July. Nine of the members continue on to the Pan American Games in Mexico in October to compete for an Olympic berth. Wiita was a member of MAC’s junior trio that won the 2010 U.S. open championship, which was another historic accomplishment. Other MAC athletes pursue U.S. national team berths next month in Indianapolis. These include Renee Zhang, age 11, who is trying out for the 12-and- under national team, for which she missed the cut by one place in 2010. Elli Wiita, age 13, is trying out for the U.S. 13-15 national team. Both Elli and Zhang continue their training efforts at MAC. Elli was a member of the 11-12 national team in 2009. Synchro’s top junior team is trav- eling the country this season. The team competed in Los Angeles in March at the West Zone championships; is competing
MAC synchro’s top junior team returns to the U.S. junior championships this month.
in Clermont, Fla., this month at the U.S. junior championships; competes in Federal Way, Wash., in June for the U.S. age group championships; and travels to Honolulu in July for the U.S. open championship. The 13-15 team also attended the West Zone Championships and hopes to qualify for the U.S. age group championship, as does the 11-12 team. The talent runs deep. The synchro masters have restruc- tured their ranks and combined a team of athletes ranging in age from their 20s to 60s to compete together in 2011. Still going strong is the well-known and highly regarded 80-89 team, which made history last fall as the fi rst team in that age group
at the U..S masters championship. These adult athletes are working new routines for this year’s championship in October.
Spring exhibition
Members are invited to witness the talent and artistry of these athletes at the annual spring exhibition Friday, May 6 at the West Pool. All ages and levels of the program are featured. Donations are accepted at the door and go toward supporting the junior team’s travel. For more information on MAC synchro, call the Aquatics Offi ce at 503-517-7500 or go to
theMAC.com.
–Anne Hecht and Julie Thaden WM
E
Junior Swimming Championship Returns njoy the excitement of a morning of fun races as the MAC
competitive swim team holds the second annual junior club swim championship Saturday, May 7 in the 50-meter Pool. This event is open to all MAC junior members; swimmers can show what they have learned while
taking lessons, participating in the development swim team, or just their natural ability in the water at this fun MAC event.
This event marks the second time the club has put on a swim meet open to all junior members age 14 and younger. The idea to restart this junior event was birthed of a similar meet the lesson program ran in the 1980s.
With varying age groups, swimmers are able to choose up to three events for competition.
A parade of champions commences at 9 a.m., and the meet ends by noon. All participants and those interested in helping should check in with the clerk of course by 8:30 a.m., allowing the meet to begin promptly. Junior members age 14 and younger can demon- strate what they have learned or simply show their raw talent to parents, grandparents and friends. Participants compete against swimmers in their age group and desired events. Most races are 25 yards (the length of the pool), although swim- mers age 11 to 14 compete in the 50-yard (two lengths of the pool) freestyle and backstroke. Each participant who competes goes home with an award.
For more information, contact Spencer Crum at 503-517-7504. Registration forms can be found at the West and 50-meter pools. WM
APRIL 2011 | The Wınged M | 63
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72