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The competitive members of the Weyburn Synchro Stars attended their first competition and development camp at Saskatoon on Nov. 13 and 14.
The athletes attended a "Whole Athlete Development Camp", with two members of the Canadian National team as guest clinicians. Athletes worked both in the water and were inspired on deck by these dynamic young Canadian stars, and then were treated to a water-show featuring excerpts from their bronze medal-winning routine in China. Following their performance, the 2011 Saskatchewan Canada Winter Games Synchro Team performed their routine.
The annual Synchro Saskatchewan Awards Banquet was held on Nov. 14, and Weyburn coach Kimberly Rothwell was the recipient of the Recreational Coach Of The Year award. Both Arlene Geisler and Joanne Fraser received awards for 10 years of volunteer service with Synchro Sask. and John Barrett received a five-year award.
There have been many challenges this season with Synchro Saskatchewan's change from tier levels to age groups. Athletes are being challenged technically at a younger age in hopes of increasing the talent pool provincially and eventually, nationally.
The Weyburn Synchro Stars will have athletes in each provincial age group this season, a first for their club.
From the competition in Saskatoon, the following are their placings in their respective age groups. Awards were handed out to the top six in each age group.
For ages 10 years and under: Julie Vogel was eighth, Piper Abel was 10th, Savannah Pohl 12th, Alexis Vandermey 13th and Katie Robinson 14th. In ages 12 years and under, Rachel Ryan was second, Jillian Harder 11th, Renee Bobier 13th, Ensley Akins 16th, Emma Von Hagen 17th, Nicole Ulmer 20th and Breanne McCormick 21st.
For ages 13 to 15 years, Katherine Ryan placed second, Keisha Mowchenko third, Hailey Wiberg fourth, Sarah Barrett fifth and Jordan Zackrisson 31st. In ages 16 to 18 years, Meagan Rothwell was second, Michaella Klassen fifth, Katelyn Fraser sixth and Lauryn Ryan seventh.
Coaches for the Synchro Stars include Meagan Rothwell, Katelyn Fraser, Kimberly Rothwell, Tracey Rothwell and Arlene Geisler.
