Fireworks Erupt as the Race Heats Up
16-17, 18-19 Finals Saturday

Let the race begin. The competition heats up as eight different teams hold down the top spots in all eight events before figures heading into tomorrow's 16-17 and 18-19 final competitions.

The last two events of the 18-19 age group wrapped up today with the duet and team prelim competitions. Duets kicked off the day with Tampa Bay's Ashley Strayer and Rachel Simon, last year's 16-17 eighth place finishers, taking top honors scoring an 83.000. Aubrey Ford and Christy Henderson of Cincinnati hold a slim lead over

Suncoast's Meredith Cooke and Jamie Freshour posting an 80.666 to their 80.000.

In the 18-19 team prelims, defending champion Cincinnati leads the pack with an 85.167. San Diego sits in second at 84.833 followed by Arizona with an 84.250.

The meet wraps up Saturday with 16-17 and 18-19 finals beginning at 11:30 a.m.

18-19 Duet Prelim
1. Ashley Strayer, Rachel Simon, Tampa Bay, 83.000. 2. Aubrey Ford, Christy Henderson, Cincinnati, 80.666. 3. Meredith Cooke, Jamie Freshour, Suncoast, 80.000. 4. Megan Sturm, Liz Chinoransky, Northern Virginia, 79.834. 5. Elizabeth Corman, Megan Stanley, St. Paul, 79.667. 6. Alaina Hill, Tracey Freeman, Buffalo, 79.500. 7. Rochelle Ross, Stephanie Rolin, Westfield (N.J.), 79.333. 8. Anne Christensen, Alexandra Kielty, MAC (Ore.), 79.167.

18-19 Team Prelim
1. Cincinnati, 85.167. 2. San Diego, 84.833. 3. Arizona, 84.250. 4T. Indy Synchro, 83.500. 4T. Buffalo, 83.500. 6. MAC (Ore.), 82.500. 7. Tonawanda, 82.333. 8. Rocky Mountain, 81.834.