Seattle's own Sally Winchester and Lacey Brooten won their petition and will compete in the upcoming 2003 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Synchronized Swimming Duet, Jan. 17-20, announced Thursday by Synchro Swimming USA.

Winchester and Brooten petitioned the Synchro Swimming USA International Relations Review Subcommittee to be included in the Duet Trials based on their competitive success in the previous season and the U.S. Olympic Committee provision that athletes have at least six months notice of the Trials procedures.

"Sally and Lacey are a good, up-and-coming duet that represents the Seattle area very well," said coach Khadija Strong. "They have come a long way together in the past few seasons despite balancing their collegiate course load and jobs. I think they'll compete very well."

Winchester, 20, of Everett, is a junior at the University of Washington and is in her third season competing for the UW Husky Synchro Club. Her partner is UW freshman Lacey Brooten, 18, of Kent.

Winchester finished the 2002 season on a strong note, taking seventh in solo, and joining Brooten for third in team at the United Airlines Open. Brooten also earned her best placement to date in '02 at the Esynchro Age Group Championships in Seattle, taking second in 18-19 duet.

Together the Seattle Synchro pair hopes to revive the legacy of the sport's most prominent duet - Seattle natives Tracie Ruiz-Conforto and Candy Costie, who won duet gold at the 1984 Olympic Games.

The 2004 U.S. Olympic Duet will be the first two U.S. athletes selected for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The Trials are exactly 573 days before the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games. The early date is necessary to prepare the team to compete in three major international events prior to the Games - the 2003 FINA World Championships, 2003 Pan American Games, and 2004 Olympic Qualifying Open.

Trials tickets are on sale now for $10 for adults, $7.50 for children and seniors at 800-325-6165 x4444.

2003 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Synchronized Swimming Duet
Final Entry List, in alpha order with hometowns, club affiliation:
Alison Bartosik, 19, Santa Clara (Calif.) & Anna Kozlova, 30, St. Petersburg (Russia), Santa Clara
Lacey Brooten, 18, Kent (Wash.) & Sally Winchester, 20, Everett (Wash.), Husky Synchro
Janet Culp, 19, Littleton (Colo.) & Jennie Culp, 19, Littleton (Colo.), Santa Clara
Sara Lowe, 18, Sunnyvale (Calif.) & Stephanie Nesbitt, 17, Riverside (Calif.), Unattached
Annabelle Orme, 15, Walnut Creek (Calif.) & Kim Probst, 21, Troy (N.Y.), Walnut Creek
Rachel Rife, 17, Clayton (Calif.) & Rebekah Rife, 17, Clayton (Calif.), Walnut Creek