US Collegiate Championships Set To Begin at Miami University

The top collegiate synchronized swimmers in the country - including a 2012 U.S. Olympian - will compete for national titles at the 2014 U.S. Collegiate National Synchronized Swimming Championships March 20-22 in Oxford, Ohio.

 The championships, to be held at the Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center on the campus of Miami University, will feature solo, duet, trio and team competition, with all finals on Saturday, March 22. 

"We are very excited to return to Miami University for a National Championship and specifically the 2014 U.S. Collegiate National Synchronized Swimming Championships," said Kevin Warner, USA Synchro Executive Director. "We enjoy being in the facility, and the staff at Miami University and Cincinnati YMCA Synchrogators are a wonderful partnership for USA Synchro. We expect to have a great competition for the athletes."

Tickets will be sold on-site March 20-22. Ticket sales will open 30 minutes prior to the first event start time each day. Prices are as follows: All-event pass, $30; single-day passes, Thursday: $10; Friday: $10; Saturday: $15.

The event will be webcast free at  http://takeitlive.tv/livesynchro/ starting March 20.

"The Butler County community is very proud to welcome the 2014 US Collegiate National Synchronized Swimming Championships to Miami University," said Mark Hecquet, Executive Director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau. "An event of this caliber is an asset to any destination. We are excited to continue our relationship with USA Synchronized Swimming, Miami University and the Cincinnati YMCA Synchrogators, and we look forward to hosting a first-class competition for all participants and spectators."

Five members of the 2014 U.S. National Squad - Emma Baranski (Ohio State), Elizabeth Davidson (Ohio State), Lorraine Hack (Ohio State), Sydney Sprinkle (University of the Incarnate Word) and Katy Wiita (University of the Incarnate Word) will compete at the championships. Two 2012 Olympians will also be competing: Mary Killman (Lindenwood University), who finished 11th in the duet (with Mariya Koroleva) for the U.S., and her Lindenwood teammate Reem Abdalazem, who represented Egypt at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Swimmers from the following collegiate teams will compete: University of Arizona, Arizona State Synchro Devils, Canisius College, Colorado State Synchro, Gator Synchro, University of Incarnate Word, Lindenwood University, Miami University Marlins, University of Michigan, Ohio State Synchro, University of Pennsylvania, University of Richmond, Stanford University, Wheaton College, College of William & Mary.

Stanford won its seventh national title at last year's championships in Palo Alto, Calif., topping 2012 champion Ohio State by 19 points.

For more information about the 2014 U.S. Collegiate Championships, visit http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Synchronized-Swimming/Events/2014/March/19/2014-US-Collegiate-Nationals.

About USA Synchro: USA Synchro was established as a nonprofit organization in 1977, and is the United States national governing body for the sport, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Committee and FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur) - the international governing federation.

USA Synchro organizes, participates in, and promotes a variety of competitive events each year. These events begin at the local level and continue in the following categories: Age Group (12-19), Junior (15-18), Senior and Masters (20+).

For more information on USA Synchro, visit http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Synchronized-Swimming.aspx, facebook.com/usasynchro and @usasynchro

About the Butler County Visitors Bureau: The Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB) is the premier regional destination marketing organization for group and leisure tourism in Butler County, Ohio. It is dedicated to contributing to a thriving local economy through a strong regional and national tourism presence. Butler County is a premier amateur sports destination. Its first-class facilities, easy accessibility and dedicated sports community make it a popular destination for a wide variety of athletic events.

For more information on hosting events in Butler County, or to request a free Visitors Guide, visit www.GetToTheBC.com or call 888-462-2282.