Synchronized swimming began the 2019 season with a meet against the University of Illinois January 26-27 at the St. Peters Rec-Plex in St. Peters, Missouri. 

Lindenwood debuted its main team routine at the meet, a run-themed performance inspired by suspense-building percussion, intermixed with hip-hop running beats. 
 
Head Coach Mikayla Francese noted how the combination of new and returning Lady Lions were tested on their team oriented focus for the season.
 
"Our main focus this year is to reach our goals as a united group," she said.  "It was the first meet, so there were some hiccups, so that will create even more fire to continue to link arms and move forward with relentless determination."
 
Lindenwood also showed strongly in all of the other events.  Senior Kyra Hoevertsz took gold in solo with an intense "Toxic" remix, followed by senior and captain Marialaura Villasana, who earned silver with a rendition of the blues/rock piece "Way Down We Go."  Hoevertsz and freshman Lluc Bonnin paired to earn gold in duet with their artistic routine performed to a remake of the 1983 Eurythmics tune "Sweet Dreams are Made of This."  Villasana and sophomore Sarolta Lukovszky took silver by less than a point with a technically focused "Cellos" themed routine.  In trios, senior Maria Escalona, Hoevertsz, and sophomore Oyku Evliya took gold with a fast-paced "Tribal" themed performance.
 
Prior to the start of the awards on Sunday, synchro seniors Hoevertsz and Villasana, and senior Escalona were honored.

"The purpose of our program is to help build strong young women through the platform of our sport," Coach Francese said.  "It is amazing to think about where these three were at the start of their collegiate careers compared to where they are now.  They have grown tremendously not only as athletes, but as people, and we are very proud of them."
 
Synchronized swimming continues its season at the Ohio State Jessica Beck Memorial Invitational February 2 in Columbus, Ohio.