Mason Synchro Competes in San Antonio

Junior nursing major Megan Sturm and junior English major Sabra Hayes founded the synchronized swimming team in 2006. During the team's first season, Mason Synchro earned a trip to collegiate nationals, where they finished 17th in the country after practicing nearly 20 hours a week in the Aquatic and Fitness Center.

This past weekend, sophomore global affairs major Anne Stickney, Sturm and Hayes traveled to San Antonio, Tex. to represent the synchronized team in national competition against nationally recognized programs including the 2008 Synchronized Swimming Olympic Team from Ohio State University. The Mason Synchro team received an invitation to the national event after qualifying in San Antonio last February following three local competitions that the team had placed.

During the semifinals on Thursday, Mason placed 14th in the trio event. The team then placed 14th in the duet performance of Stickney and Sturm. Later in the evening, Hayes performed in the semifinal solo competition where she earned a 20th place finish.

On Friday, Mason Synchro continued with performances in the Figures and Elements segment of competition. In Level A, Hayes placed 44th while Sturm placed 15th in level B and Stickney recorded a third-place finish in level C. Despite their efforts, the team did not qualify for the finals.

“Overall, I think we did really well, especially for it only being our third season and for us being a club team,” said Hayes. “I definitely think we will be right back at Nationals and do a lot better next year.”

The team is currently ranked 12th nationally.