The Lindenwood synchronized swimming team helped its quest for the collegiate national title with the signing of its most talented all-around class in program history.
The Lady Lions added seven standout recruits including two members of the U.S. National Team program and two Olympic medalists.
Coming off a strong five-medal performance at the U.S. Collegiate Championships, head coach Lori Eaton wanted to build on that success.
"We recruit student-athletes who want to be coached and who want to grow in their synchro career," she said. "We're in the fortunate position that those types of athletes are seeking us out and coming to Lindenwood because of the balance we place on academics and athletics."
Lindenwood signed five top domestic recruits in Allyson Haylor, McKinzie Chelberg, Kirsten Hutzler, Emily Emmanuele, and Sandra Knezevich, but also continued to attract international athletes with Spanish Olympians Laia Pons Areñas and Irene Montrucchio.
Allyson Haylor of Las Vegas gave Lindenwood a challenge at last year's U.S. Championships, finishing fifth in the solo competition and third in the overall high point standings. Haylor is a veteran world-class competitor, finishing sixth in duet at the World Trophy Cup at age 15. She has competed for the U.S. National Team for the past five years.
McKinzie Chelberg of St. Paul, Minn. is a relative newcomer to the sport, having trained only seven years. However, with a background that also includes a state title in gymnastics, she quickly made her mark, competing for the national champion Walnut Creek Aquanuts team last season, at the 2012 World Trophy Cup in Mexico, and for the 2013 U.S. National Team at the U.S. Open. She was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team in 2011 and a reserve athlete for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.
Kirsten Hutzler is the first Lindenwood recruit from the synchro hotbed of Southern California. The Spring Valley, Calif. native emerged in the past few seasons, progressing to third in figures and sixth in solo at the 2013 U.S. Age Group Championships. She took fifth in the same event a year prior.
Emily Emmanuele is the first Lindenwood recruit from the perennial junior national contender Menomonee Falls Dolphinettes in Wisconsin. Emanuele finished first in 18-19 duet, and third in trio and team at the 2012 Esynchro Age Group National Championships.
Sandra Knezevich hails from Mentor, Ohio where she swam eight years with the Painesville Cygnets, as well as played for the Mentor High School soccer team. She specializes in show choreography and earned her club's Most Dedicated Swimmer Award.
Laia Pons Areñas competed for Spain at the 2013 FINA World Championships in her hometown of Barcelona, helping the host country to a silver medal finish in team and combo. She served as the alternate to Spain's bronze medal-winning Olympic Team in 2012, and was on Spain's gold medal winning team at the 2012 European Championships. She is a former Spanish junior national champion in solo, duet and team.
Irene Montrucchio earned a bronze medal as part of Spain's 2012 Olympic Team in London. She returned home to help Spain to a silver-medal finish at the 2013 World Championships. She won gold at the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Event and 2012 European Championships, was third in team at the 2011 World Championships, and has won 49 medals, including 27 gold, in the Spanish Nationals since 2002.
The Lady Lions begin their season with the Lindenwood Invitational January 24-25 against reigning national champion Stanford University. The competition will be held at St. Peters Rec Plex.
