Ohio State Eyes 24th Title at Collegiate Championships
2008 Olympic training squad members set to swim

Indianapolis, Ind. -- The University of Florida, Gainesville, is taking the plunge and hosting the nation's 29th annual U.S. Synchronized Swimming Collegiate Championships, March 24-26, at the O’Connell Aquatic Center on the University of Florida campus.

More than 275 of the world’s top athletes from 25 colleges and universities will vie for titles in the solo, duet, trio, and team events. The championships are an open-class meet, combining competition for NCAA Divisions I, II and III, plus NAIA schools.

Two Florida teams will vie for the title at the national competition: Gator Synchro (University of Florida), and Florida State University.

Returning to the competition, The Ohio State University will look to earn its 25th overall Collegiate Championship title in the 29th year of the championships. Among those swimming for the Bucks is 2008 Olympic Training Squad member Becky Kim who won gold at the 2004 Collegiate Championships in Duet, Trio and Team.

Other top contenders include Stanford University, which boasts seven National Team members, including 2004 Olympic Team member Sara Lowe, and 2004 Canadian Olympic Team and Duet member Courtenay Stewart.

Returning to her home state is Tallahassee native Katie Norris, who began her career with the Tallahassee Serinas. Norris was a member of the 2004 Olympic Training Squad, and is currently in her senior year, and serving as team captain for the Cardinals.

The University of Alabama, Birmingham, looks to move up after capturing bronze at the 2004 Championships. Host, University of Florida, will look to improve on its seventh place finish.

The 2005 Collegiate National Competition is sponsored by the Gainesville Sports Organizational Committee (GSOC), and University of Florida Gator Synchro Club (Recreational Sports are funded by Student Government and is a department of the Division of Student Affairs.)

Competition begins at 8 a.m. March 24th and concludes at approximately 9 p.m. each day. For more information, contact Mandy Haskett, USSS Media Relations Director at 317-237-5700.

Synchro Shorts!

- The city of Gainesville took the plunge in 1997 by forming its own synchronized swimming club. The first-year group trained 25 swimmers during its first summer, and will again support a full slate of summer activities in 2005.

- Tickets for all events Spectator tickets will be required for all events. Tickets are $5 at the door on Thursday/Friday and $10 on Saturday ($5 students and kids). All-Event Passes will be $20 ($15 for students and kids).