Aquanuts Lead 12-13 Prelims
World's largest synchro meet gets underway in Gainesville

The Walnut Creek Aquanuts took the early lead on the first day of the 2003 Esynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships in Gainesville, Fla.

The Aquanuts nabbed the top spot in the 12-13 duet preliminary, with Maria Koroleva and Olivia Morgan taking top honors scoring a 73.750. Santa Clara's duo of Morgan Fuller and Morgan Thomas is just 0.750 back at 73.000, followed by Riverside's Ashley Bennett and Devon Thrasher at 72.250.

Walnut Creek added to its lead in the trio prelim taking first and fourth, with Riverside in second and Santa Clara in third. Leading the way is the Aquanut trio of Koroleva, Yacaira O'Connor, and Seyeon Min with a score of 71.750. Min was a part of the winning 12-13 trio last year. The Riverside trio of Amanda Cook, Brittney Miller and Marissa Reynolds hold down second at 70.750, while Fuller, Thomas, and Nadia Rais of Santa Clara are just 0.500 behind with a 70.250.

Preliminary scores are weighted to 50 percent and combined with 50 percent of the athlete(s)'s figures score to determine the eight finalists in each event. In the final, the 50 percent free routine prelim score is replaced with 50 of the final routine score.

Nearly 1,000 athletes are competing for titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events in four different age groups: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 and 18-19. Competition continues Sunday with 12-13 solos at 10:00 a.m., followed by 12-13 teams at 2:00 p.m. and 14-15 teams at 5:30 p.m.

12-13 Duet Prelim (top 8 only)
1, Maria Koroleva, Olivia Morgan, Walnut Creek, 73.750. 2, Morgan Fuller, Morgan Thomas, Santa Clara, 73.000. 3, Ashley Bennett, Devon Thrasher, Riverside, 72.250. 4, Danielle DeCarlo, Jeanine McCullough, Riverside, 71.750. 5, Renae DiBartolomeo, Mandy Sheehan, Walnut Creek, 70.750. 6, Brittany Hipp, Cally Timm, Coralettes of Southern Calif., 69.000. 7, Mallory Jennes, Kelsey Smith, New Canaan, 67.250. 8T, Alexandra Bollaidlaw, Kirby Hoag, Northern Virginia, 67.000. 8T, Leigh Haldeman, Liane Lovitt, Seattle, 67.000.

12-13 Trio Prelim (top 8 only)
1, Maria Koroleva, Yacaira O'Connor, Seyeon Min, Walnut Creek, 71.750. 2, Amanda Cook, Brittney Miller, Marissa Reynolds, Riverside, 70.750. 3, Morgan Fuller, Nadia Rais, Morgan Thomas, Santa Clara, 70.250. 4, Renae DiBartolomeo, Mandy Sheehan, Kellie Stump, Walnut Creek, 69.250. 5, Ingrid Lundblad, Christina Menth, Katie Schroeder, Redwood Empire, 66.500. 6T, Brenna Goth, Chrissie Stockwell, Jackie Stockwell, Scottsdale, 66.250. 6T, Trisha Melber, Lauren Spatzer, Abby Vollmer, Tonawanda, 66.250. 6T, Hanna Adelissi, Jenny Woo, Stephanie Chiang, Cerritos Synchronettes, 66.250.