The eight-women team, consisting of Jordan Anderson, Sophie Baetz-Dougan, Nicole Larocque, Katie LePage, Julia Maclean, Brianna MacLellan, Chelsey Matthews and Carrie Mouck, took away eight bronze medals at the 2004 National Synchro Swim Championships and top honours in Ontario.

More than 480 athletes were on hand to vie for national titles in the compulsory figures, solo, duet and team events. Ontario brought the most athletes to the 2004 National Championships with 13 clubs from across the province and over 180 athletes entered in the competition. Although they have been on the podium many times in the past, this is the first time in the DSSC club's 30-year history that this national level team has brought home medals from the nation's most prestigious competition.

Leslie Wicken's Tier 7 National Synchro Swim Team was also a winner, finishing seventh. The Tier 7 team consists of Katharine Cornish, Lianne Doerr, Lisa Doerr, Lauren LePage, Lindsay MacLean, Alison Rogin and Kate Secor. The Tier 6 duet, comprised of Sophie Baetz-Dougan and Katie Lepage, coached by Holley Lundmark, finished eighth place in the nation, and the developing Tier 6 team, coached by Holley Lundmark and Rochelle Fernandez, consisting of Samantha Albacete, Madelaine Baetz-Dougan, Alanna Beal, Angela Licata, Kayla Malcolmson, Allie Mear and Alaina Wade placed 19th in prelims. Chelsey Matthews and Julia Maclean, two of the Tier 6 Solos, finished 12th and 16th, respectively. In the compulsory figures event, DSSC brought home more excellent results with Katie Lepage 8th, Chelsey Matthews 9th, Sophie Baetz-Dougan 18th and Julia Maclean 21st out of 204 swimmers.

For girls interested in trying synchro swimming, recreational and competitive programs will be starting in September. It's never too early and it's never too late to start in this sport.

Contact the Durham Synchro Swim Club at 905-720-7747 or visit the club's Web site at www.durhamsynchro.com.