A pair of Mesa Arizona Aqua Stars (AAS) synchronized swim teams won gold medals at the USA Synchro Region D Championships Meet in Las Vegas in May, and have advanced to compete in the national meet in Seattle this month.
“Not only are we the No. 1 Team in the state, but we are also the only team in Arizona to have swimmers qualify for National Teams,” exclaimed team recruiter TerriLynne Collins.
The qualifying swimmers are Eryn Schmisseur (11/12) and Monica Velasquez-Stiak (13/15). Both girls will attend a national training camp for potential future members of U.S. National Team 1, which represents the U.S. at the Olympics and other international competitions.
“Also, we are proud that Aimee Liou, Lindsey Anderson and Sydney Schmisseur qualified and attended National Team trials,” TerriLynne said.
“Synchronized swimming is a unique combination of swimming, dance and gymnastics performed in water to music,” she further explained. The Aqua Stars club offers girls’ swimming in teams, from ages 8 to 18, through classes and summer camps.
The girls train at Kino Aquatic Center, located at 850 N. Horne. The center is under the direction of head coach Jill Parr, who has been named 2008 West Zone Coach of the Year, 2009 13-15 National Team Assistant Coach and 2010 Junior Team Development Coach of the Year. The local coaching staff all are former nationally ranked swimmers.
“This nationally recognized, local year-round club is an independent, non-profit organization operated by the Arizona Aqua Star Parent Association,” said TerriLynne.
Linda Witter started AAS in 1983. Linda is the current head coach of the Ohio State Collegiate National Champions, and former head coach of the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team.
Registration is now open for classes and summer camps. Classes and clinics are available for all ages and proficiency levels. Girls should be 6 years or older, possess basic swimming skills and feel comfortable in deep water without a flotation device.
To register, call TerriLynne at (480) 654-8508, or send an e-mail to collins_526@msn.com. Further information can be found at www.azaquastars.org.