Abel takes gold at US Junior National Championships

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The 2006 Speedo US Junior National Championships concluded on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. More than 300 elite athletes ages 14 to 18 gathered in Minneapolis to vie for Junior National Titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events. Top routines will advance to the 2006 US National Championships, which will take place April 26 to 29 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

California was well represented as the Riverside AQuettes defended their 2005 title. Santa Clara finished in second place while Walnut Creek earned a third place finish. Riverside’s 2006 National Team I member Brooke Abel of Fallbrook, CA, took home gold in the solo, duet and team routines.

The 2006 Junior National Team was named at the conclusion of the meet and will compete in the X FINA Junior Synchronized Swimming World Championships October 7 to 11 in Guangzhou, China.

Team members include (in alphabetical order): Brooke Abel, Danielle DeCarlo, Meghan Kinney, Diana LaScala-Gruenewald, Elizabeth MacAfee, Michelle Moore, Olivia Morgan, Deborah Shim, Michelle Theriault and Alison Williams.

Trio Finals

1. Walnut Creek (Maria Koroleva, Diana LaScala-Gruenewald, Deborah Shim), 80.486

2. Riverside (Debbie Chen, Danielle DeCarlo, Michelle Theriault), 80.198

3. Riverside (Michelle Moore, Kari Pett, Alison Williams), 79.004

4. Walnut Creek (Caitlin Ellis, Molly Knight, Seyeon Min), 77.817

5. Santa Clara (Mary Killman, Anna Nelson, Nadia Rais), 77.636

6. Riverside (Ashley Bennett, Kirby Hoag, Paige Ramsey)

7. Arizona Aqua Stars (Alexandra Beckett, Haleigh Martinez, Jessica Webb), 76.601

8. Riverside (Jackie Mundy, Christina Mundy, Alex Stensby), 76.552

Duet Finals

1. Brooke Abel, Meghan Kinney (Riverside), 81.993

2. Diana LaScala-Gruenewald, Deborah Shim (Walnut Creek), 81.329

3. Christine Park, Kenyon Smith (Santa Clara), 80.835

4. Elizabeth MacAfee, Heidi McMahon (Santa Clara), 80.420

5. Olivia Morgan, Maria Koroleva (Walnut Creek), 79.267

6. Debbie DeCarlo, Debbie Chen (Riverside), 79.050

7. Michelle Moore, Kari Pett (Riverside), 78.357

8. Molly Knight, Caitlin Ellis (Walnut Creek), 77.620

Solo Finals

1. Brooke Abel (Riverside), 83.309

2. Kenyon Smith (Santa Clara), 82.504

3. Meghan Kinney (Riverside), 81.593

4. Elizabeth MacAfee (Santa Clara), 80.414

5. Michelle Theriault (Riverside), 80.161

6. Olivia Morgan (Walnut Creek), 79.235

7. Heidi McMahon (Santa Clara), 79.094

8. Mary Killman (Santa Clara), 78.049

Team Finals

1. Riverside, 82.791

2. Walnut Creek, 81.900

3. Santa Clara, 81.598

4. Riverside, 78.917

5. Santa Clara, 77.388

6. New Canaan, 76.272

7. Tonawanda, 75.606

8. Indy, 75.915