Stanford and Santa Clara Share Overall 2008 U.S. National Championship Title

May 3, 2008
Tucson, Ariz. – The 2008 U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Championships concluded today with finals competition at the University of Arizona Rec Center Pool. Stanford University and Santa Clara each scored 40 points en route to a shared overall National Championship Title.

In the solo finals event, Stanford’s Sara Lowe scored a 95.667 which was good enough for a top spot on the medal stand. She was joined by Natalia Tarasova of Canisius College (94.167) and Kenyon Smith (93.583) of Santa Clara.

For the duet finals event, Lowe teamed up with Courtenay Stewart (96.000) for another gold medal finish. Bianca and Sonja Van Der Velden of Santa Clara followed with a 95.667. Kenyon and Layla Smith who also represented Santa Clara, finished in the bronze medal position with a 94.000.

Stanford University finished the team finals competition in the top spot with a score of 96.083 while the Ohio State University followed with a score of 95.833. The Santa Clara Aquamaids scored a 95.417, which placed them in the bronzed medal position.

More than 150 elite athletes competed for national titles in the solo, duet and team events in the nation's most prestigious competition. The 2008 U.S. National Championships mark the 63rd year of national competition in the duet and team events and the 59th year of solo competition. Synchronized swimming requires a combination of strength, precision, grace and teamwork, and is considered a culmination of swimming, gymnastics and dance.