Abel part of US synchronized swim team placing fifth in Olympics

Brooke Abel didn’t leave the 2008 Olympics with a medal, but the Fallbrook resident was part of the United States synchronized swimming team which finished fifth.

“We were happy because we had our best swim in both of our routines,” Abel said. “That’s actually hard to do in competition.”

The United States tied for fifth with Japan in the overall medal points while tying Canada for fifth in the August 22 team technical routine and earning an unshared fifth-place showing in the August 23 freestyle routine.

The United States missed the bronze medal by exactly two points while falling approximatel...