It didn't take long for the Lindenwood synchronized swimming team to pay dividends off for the university. Next month a member of their team competes in the World Championships in Rome, Italy.

Lady Lion Devah Leenheer was selected by Aruba to represent them in the Championships. Synchronized Swimming Head Coach Lori Eaton will travel and coach her in the competition.

“The world championships are basically the Olympics in a Non-Olympic year,” said Eaton. “If this were an Olympic year, these would be the kids that would go.”

Leenheer was the MVP of the Lady Lions and was instrumental in the success of the program's first season, including a season opening victory over powerhouse Ohio State and a strong showing in the national championship. This is her second time representing Aruba in the championships.

“Her country asked her to participate,” Eaton said. “That's a big honor and I'm honored that I get to be her coach.”

For Leenheer, the championships represent a chance to show off her skills, which she has built since age nine. Over her career she has won numerous competitions and 31 gold medals.

She will swim solo in the championships in two fields, the free solo and the technical solo. In the free solo she can pick her moves and in the technical version she would have to perform required moves. Instead of competing with a team she would have to swim in synch with the music.

Eaton has coached Leenheer for a year and a half. Over that time they built a good relationship.

“We have a strong, meaningful relationship,” Eaton said. “I'm very proud of her; I want to see her succeed.”

Currently, Leenheer is in Aruba training for next month's challenge.

“She's been working very hard,” Eaton said. “She wants to do well, not only for her country, but for Lindenwood too.”

Leenheer is a psychology major at Lindenwood; she hopes to become a child psychologist.