Competition Heats Up at the U.S. Open
U.S. Team II Holds Lead after Technical Swim

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S Open continued Wednesday at the University of New Orleans Aquatic Center in New Orleans, La. Five areas of competition were completed with the international teams as well as the U.S Team looking strong.

The day began with the Senior duet technical competition. A pair of United States duets, Kate Hooven and Becky Kim as well as Janet Culp and Jennie Culp, placed first and third with scores of 88.667 and 87.667 respectively. Canada’s Tanya Matson and Jessica Outhwaite finished second at 88.500.

The Junior duet free competition followed with Maria Koroleva and Olivia Morgan of Walnut Creek (Calif.) taking top honors at 81.000. Riverside’s Danielle DeCarlo and Jeanine McCullough placed second with a score of 80.667, while Anna Soto and Mary Soto of Walnut Creek (Calif.) finished third at 80.000.

Only five entries made up the Senior trio division. In the technical routine competition, Rachel Sinn, Alandi Stec-Neifert and Jeanine Wurzel of the Walnut Creek Aquanuts (Calif.) took first after posting a 79.667. Jayme DeLancy, Esme Louiws, Leayn Pinette of New Canaan (Conn.) finished second with a 76.833, while Jennifer Graham, Megan Kinney and Christina Menth of Redwood Empire (Calif.) followed at 73.833.

U.S. Team II claimed the lead after the Senior team technical competition. The U.S. scored a 91.833. Canada followed at 90.500, while Walnut Creek finished a distant third scoring an 84.833.

The day closed with the Junior team free competition. Riverside finished atop the pack scoring an 87.667. Walnut Creek placed second with an 86.667 followed by Santa Clara at 85.167.

Competition continues Thursday with the Junior solo competition at 7:35 a.m. followed by Senior free trios at 1:05 p.m., Junior trios at 2:20 p.m., Senior technical solos at 5:45 p.m. and Senior Free teams at 7:25 p.m.

Senior Duet Technical Competition (top 12 only)
1, Kate Hooven, Becky Kim, United States, 88.667. 2, Tanya Matson, Jessica Outhwaite, Canada, 88.500. 3. Janet Culp, Jennie Culp, United States, 87.667. 4, Luna Aguilu, Leilani Torres, Puerto Rico, 84.000. 5, Erin Bell, Diana LaScala-Gruenewald, Walnut Creek, 81.667. 6, Jessica Brown, Jennifer Holmquist, Cygnets of San Antonio, 81.333. 7T, Ana Maria Giraldo, Carolina Agudelo, Columbia, 77.333. 8, Laura Davis, Ashely Strayer, Tampa Bay (Fla.), 77.167. 9, Jennifer Graham, Emily Van Vleck, Redwood Empire (Calif.), 77.000. 10, Liz Chinoransky, Megan Sturm, Northern Virginia, 76.500. 11, Natalie Chase, Aleksandria Lazovic, Seattle (Wash.), 76.333. 12, Margaret Gillan, Ester Kovach, ANA (Mass.), 74.167.

Junior Duet Free Competition (top 12 only)
1, Maria Koroleva, Olivia Morgan, Walnut Creek (Calif.), 81.000. 2, Danielle DeCarlo, Jeanine McCullough, Riverside (Calif.), 80.667. 3, Anna Soto, Mary Soto, Walnut Creek (Calif.), 80.000. 4T, Mariel Bros, Claudia Cueli, Dominican Republic, 79.333. 4T, Sarah Felix, Kimiko Urata, Juneau (Alaska), 79.333. 6, Corenn Cookerly, Marian Hartman, Indy Synchro (Ind.), 79.000. 7T, Kaitlin Bolt, Emilie Siemer, Cincinnati (Ohio), 78.667. 7T, Renae DiBartolomeo, Iris Hemmerich, Walnut Creek (Calif.), 78.677. 9T, Katherine Green, Helen Lerums, Indy Synchro (Ind.), 78.333. 9T, Christine Park, Kenyon Smith, Santa Clara (Calif.), 78.333. 11, Heidi McMahon, Ashly Wenzel, Arizona, 78.000. 12, Kari Pett, Katie Wenzel, Arizona, 77.667.

Senior Trio Technical Competition
1, Rachel Sinn, Alandi Stec-Neifert, Jeanine Wurzel, Walnut Creek (Calif.), 79.667. 2, Jayme DeLancy, Esme Louiws, Leayn Pinette, New Canaan (Conn.), 76.833. 3, Jennifer Graham, Megan Kinney, Christina Menth, Redwood Empire (Calif.), 73.833. 4, Kirsten Boeder, Zofi Kudak-Field, Talbot Starr, West Metro (Minn.), 73.500. 5, Courtney Karolinko, Caroline Karolinko, Lauren Kinley, Palm Beach (Fla.), 72.167.

Senior Team Technical Competition
1, United States, 91.833. 2, Canada, 90.500. 3, Walnut Creek (Calif.), 84.833. 4, New Canaan (Conn.), 81.833. 5, Colombia, 80.500. 6, Seattle (Wash.), 80.333. 7, MAC (Ore.), 78.000. 8, Coral Springs (Fla.), 74.833. 9, Menomonee Falls (Wisc.), 72.833. 10, Dade Co. (Fla,), 66.000.

Junior Team Free Competition (top 12 only)
1, Riverside (Calif.), 87.667. 2, Walnut Creek (Calif.), 86.667. 3, Santa Clara (Calif.), 85.167. 4, Indy Synchro (Ind.), 82.833. 5, Cincinnati (Ohio), 79.000. 6T, Cerritos (Calif.), 78.833. 6T, Tonawanda (NY), 78.833. 8, St. Paul (Minn.), 78.000. 9, Buffalo (NY), 77.667. 10, Rocky Mountain (Colo.), 77.333. 11, Sacramento (Calif.), 77.167. 12, Brecksville (Ohio), 76.500.