The Lindenwood synchronized swimming team continues its climb towards the top of the collegiate synchronized swimming world. The Lady Lions finished fifth at the 2010 National Championships, up one spot from their inaugural season in 2009.
Lindenwood collected 52 points at the event for its fifth-place showing. Ohio State won its second straight national championship with 96 points. Stanford was second with 82 points, and Canisius and Incarnate Word tied for third with 72 points.
In the team event, both Lindenwood squads advanced to the finals.
The China squad finished sixth with a score of 87.625. Members of the China squad were
Bethany Burton,
Mikayla Francese,
Devah Leenheer,
Kari Madden,
Stewart Shoemaker,
Jessica Webb,
Shelby McDaniel, and
Talia Scatliff.
The Hide and Seek routine was 10th with an 83.375. Lady Lions on that team were
Abigail Andresen,
Federica Bertolini,
Clarissa Johnston,
Kelly Mahoney,
Robin Pirik,
Lindsey Ritenour, and
Brynn Sebring.
In the solo competition, two Lindenwood swimmers advanced to the finals. Leenheer was sixth with an 85.5 mark, one spot ahead of teammate Burton who recorded a score of 85.0.
In trio, the team of Burton, Francese, and Leenheer competed in the finals and finished seventh with an 84.25. The second trio squad of McDaniel, Madden, and Shoemaker placed tenth with a 81.5 score.
In the C Figures Technical competition, Sebring finished fourth. That was the top Lindenwood finish in the technicals.
Two Lindenwood athletes, Burton and Francese, were invited to join the National Team 1 Training Squad. The duet of Pirik and Ritenour qualified for the U.S. Nationals at the competition. In all, Lindenwood will have three duets, two solos and a team qualified for the U.S. Nationals.