May, Kozlova To Perform In Syracuse

June 21, 2001

Synchro stud Bill May will return to his hometown of Syracuse, N.Y. this weekend as a special appearance for Speedo swimwear at the 2001 U.S. Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships.

May, the 2001 and 2000 U.S. National Champion in the solo, duet and team events, and partner Anna Kozlova will perform his national title winning duet at approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Nottingham High School, following the conclusion of the 12-13 duet competition.

May, 22, grew up in Cicero, N.Y., swimming for the Oswego Lakettes and Syracuse Synchro Cats. He became interested in the sport at age 10, and moved to California at age 15 to compete for the perennial national title contender Santa Clara Aquamaids.

Though international rules bar him from competing in the top international events, Bill has won silver against the best in the world at the 1998 Goodwill Games on Long Island, and helped Team
USA to sweeps of the Rome and Swiss Opens the past two seasons.

Swimming alongside May will be two-time Olympian Anna Kozlova. Kozlova placed fourth for Russia in the 1992 Olympics. She immigrated to the United States in 1994, waited five years for citizenship, then fulfilled her lifelong dream by competing for Team USA in the 2000 Olympic Games.

Speedo brings synchro's dynamic duo to Syracuse in conjunction with the 2001 U.S. Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships, June 23-30 at the Nottingham High School Natatorium, 3100 East Genessee St.

On hand for the world's largest synchro event will be up-and-coming junior athletes representing the world's top-rated clubs, along with several reigning age group national champions. More than 1,000 athletes will be 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.

New York clubs expected to participate include the Rochester Dolphins, Keuka Kokanees, Troy Sculpins, New York Arianas, Tonawanda Aquettes and Buffalo Swimkins.

The event lasts nine days and carries with it an estimated economic impact of more than $1.3 million. The U.S. Age Groups are hosted by the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau, Niagara Association, Keuka College Synchro and Keuka Kokanees. Past event hosts include Oakland, Calif. in 2000, Gainesville, Fla. in '99, Buffalo in '98, and Tonawanda in '97.