NH People

August 10. 2012 10:29PM

YMCA's Catalinas in synch in N.Y.

Members of The YMCA of Greater Manchester Catalinas synchronized swim team that competed in the 2012 East Zone Age Group/Intermediate Championship were, from left; Irina Kustovaya of Goffstown, Sarah Hannaford of Bedford, Abigail Smith of Manchester, Lily Zemelko of Derry and Molly Spalding of Mont Vernon. (Courtesy)

The YMCA of Greater Manchester Catalinas synchronized swim team recently traveled to Buffalo, N.Y., to compete in the 2012 East Zone Age Group/Intermediate Championship and 13-15 Open Synchronized Swim Meet. Teams from across New England and the Mid-Atlantic states were represented at the meet. The Catalinas competed in the solo, trio, team and mandatory figures competitions.

Emily McAuliffe of Londonderry placed fourth and Elizabeth Herod of Goffstown placed fifth for their 13-and-over solo routines. A personal best was achieved by both McAuliffe and Herod.

In the 13-and-older trio competition, Lindsey Andrews of Dunbarton, Sarah Hannaford of Bedford and Abigail Smith of Manchester came in second place.

The Catalinas had two squads compete in the 13-and-older team routines. The green squad, comprised of Hannaford, Irina Kustovskaya of Goffstown, Molly Spalding of Mont Vernon, Smith, and Lily Zemelko of Derry placed first. The purple squad, made up of Andrews, Olivia Caselden of Derry, Maddy Harmelink of Dunbarton, Ilana Hensley of Amherst, Herod, McAuliffe, Kaylie Piecuch of Goffstown, and Katherine Spalding of Mont Vernon, placed ninth.

In the mandatory figures, the Catalinas swept the top four 13-and-older positions with Zemelko placing first, Molly Spalding in second, Kustovskaya taking third, and Katherine Spalding placing fourth.

The team MVP award was given to Hannaford. The most improved award is given to a novice, an intermediate and an age group swimmer with the most improved figure scores throughout the season. Novice swimmer Sarah Hanna of Goffstown, intermediate swimmer Harmelink, and age group swimmer Kustovskaya each earned this award. The sportsmanship award was earned by Caselden. The rookie award was earned by Zemelko.

The 2012 Catalina award, which is given annually by the coaches to a swimmer who best demonstrates the true spirit of synchronized swimming, was earned by McAuliffe.

For more information about the Catalinas Synchronized Swim Team contact Laura Leary at lleary@yogm.org or at 232-8622.