U.S. Junior National Team to compete at FINA World Junior Championships Team

INDIANAPOLIS - The U.S. Junior National Synchronized Swimming Team will test international waters this week as it competes at the 14th FINA World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

 

Team USA's Anita Alvarezand Sandra Ortellado will take part in the duet event. The pair has already competed internationally twice this year, finishing seventh at the Brazil Open in May and 11th at the French Open in March against mostly senior-level swimmers. They also won gold at the U.S. Open earlier this month.

 

"I think the duet and team made a great impression at the U.S. Open," said U.S. head coach Julie Fabre. "The duet has made a huge improvement over the past two months. They have gained a lot of confidence, and their presentation is stronger."

 

The U.S. team won the junior team title at the U.S. Open on July 19, finishing with 154.1140 points.

 

"The team has also made a huge improvement. The choreography is nice to watch and is very difficult at the junior level," Fabre said.

 

The preliminary duet and team events will be held July 30, with the finals on Aug. 2.

 

The U.S. Junior National Squad includes: Anita Alvarez (Kenmore, N.Y./Town of Tonawanda Aquettes), Claire Barton (Los Gatos, Calif./Santa Clara Aquamaids),Gillian Brassil (Moraga, Calif./Walnut Creek Aquanuts), Rachel Hyon (Cypress, Calif./La Mirada Aquabelles), Isabel Malcolmson (San Jose, Calif./Santa Clara Aquamaids), Sandra Ortellado (Walnut Creek, Calif./Walnut Creek Aquanuts),Noelle St. John (Dublin, Ohio/Indy Synchro), Karensa Tjoa (San Jose, Calif./ Santa Clara Aquamaids), Monica Velazquez-Stiak (Phoenix, Ariz./Scottsdale Synchro) and Elizabeth Wiita (Vancouver, Wash./MAC Synchro).