Synchronized swimming captured its fourth consecutive U.S. Senior National high point championship April 1 at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center near Tucson, Arizona.  Despite the 70-point margin over the nearest club, the outcome was much closer than the score indicated, thanks to a couple of familiar faces.

Marialaura Villasana earned gold for the Lady Lions in the solo technical event on Saturday with a score of 75.3002, topping teammate Kyra Hoevertsz with 74.1357.  In the solo free final, Lindenwood graduate Alyson Haylor, swimming for the Scottsdale Synchro Club, won gold by the narrowest of margins with an 80.2333, compared to 80.2000 from Hoevertsz.  Haylor returned to partner with Xinya Zhang to take duet gold with a score of 81.000, topping the Lady Lions duo of Sarolta Lukovszky and Villasana with 80.5667.

Lindenwood Head Coach Mikayla Francese expected stiff competition.

"We knew it was going to be a battle this year, with a bunch of new clubs coming up the ranks, and some great performers like Aly returning to the sport," Francese said.  "Nationals is a measure of depth.  To win, you have to have quality athletes from top to bottom, and I think we showed that Lindenwood synchro is on secure footing for years to come."

The Lady Lions also were challenged in the team event, squaring off against perennial power Santa Clara.  The Aquamaids grabbed top honors in the technical team competition by a fraction of a point, just 0.0817, with a score of 78.7827, compared to 78.010 from Lindenwood.  The Lady Lions turned the tables in the free team event, posting the high score of the meet with 82.1000 compared to 79.6000 from Santa Clara.  The performance earned the gold medal and ultimately secured the overall title in the process.

"This season was full of growing pains, as we had a ton of new faces in the water and a new head coach taking over," Francese said.  "I'm proud of all that we accomplished, and I think we all realize the potential of this squad in the future.  Our young team now understands what it takes to get to the top, and we're ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead in the years to come."

In addition to awarding individual event medals, U.S. Nationals employs team high point scoring, where routines earn points for placement, much like a track meet, to determine an overall champion.  Lindenwood finished first with 148 points, followed by Santa Clara with 78 points.

Prior to U.S. Senior Nationals, Lindenwood competed at the U.S. Collegiate Championships March 30-31 at the same venue.  The Lady Lions finished third overall behind powerhouses Ohio State and Stanford.  Lindenwood freshman Shelby Kasse took first in B Figures with 74.8408, more than three points ahead of the next competitor in the standings.  She later teams with Hoevertsz and Rebecca Richardson to win bronze in trio with 79.7667.  The Lady Lions finished just out of the medals, taking fourth in solo, duet, and team.  For more information, visit www.usasynchro.org.

The two championship events concluded the season for Lindenwood synchronized swimming.

2018 U.S. Senior National Championships
April 1, 2018
Oro Valley, Arizona
 
Overall Standings (top 3)
1. Lindenwood University, 148
2. Santa Clara Aquamaids, 78
3. Houston SynchroStars, 42
 
Solo Tech
1. LU, M. Villasana, 75.3002
2. LU, K. Hoevertsz, 74.1357
3. OPT, L. Schroeder, 74.0096
4. LU, O. Evliya, 72.2571

Solo Free
1. SAZ, A. Haylor, 80.2333
2. LU, K. Hoevertsz, 80.2000
3. LU, M. Villasana, 79.6333
5. LU, O. Evliya, 76.4333
 
Duet Free
1. SAZ, A. Haylor, X. Zhang, 81.0000
2. LU, S. Lukovszky, M. Villasana, 80.5667
3. SCA, K. Chow, K. Hoang, 75.3000
6. LU, R. Richardson, M. Escalona, 74.2333
 
Team Tech
1. Santa Clara Aquamaids, 74.7827
2. Lindenwood University, 74.7010
3. Carolina Synchro Club, 66.1738
4. Lindenwood University, 66.0013
 
Team Free
1. Lindenwood University, 82.1000
2. Santa Clara Aquamaids, 79.6000
3. Lindenwood University, 78.6667