Synchro Canada – Ottawa, May 19, 2017 — Synchro Canada held, during its 2017 Canadian Open Championships, the last phases of its selection trials for its 2017 Junior National Athlete pool. The 16 selected athletes represent the depth of synchronized swimming across the country, training at 9 different synchro clubs and coming from 6 Canadian provinces, ranging from Victoria, BC to Québec City, QC. 

These athletes were invited to take part in a number of selection events during the week, including two figure competitions as well as a half-day of routine skill assessment that was held at the conclusion of the competition.  Synchro Canada’s Chief Sport Officer, Julie Healy, as well as High Performance Consultant Sheilagh Croxon, led the team of coaches, judges and technical personnel who was on hand for the selection.

“The main goal of the selection was to select the athletes that have the greatest potential to qualify for the Junior Worlds team in 2018,” stated Croxon. “This summer, Synchro Canada will be investing in the development of these athletes, while creating memorable choreographies for our Junior Worlds routines.”

The Junior National Athlete Pool is the first step in a 2-year selection and development process that will culminate with the 2018 FINA Junior World Championships. The athlete pool, whose members are all age-eligible for next year’s biennial competition, will be taking part in a month-long Choreography camp at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, from July 3 to 28, 2017. The camp will be led by Head Coach Manny Wu and Assistant Coach Nathalie Lagrange with Jennifer Koptie leading the development of the duet routine.

“This is part of our long-term approach to developing our young athletes,” added Healy. “They will have the opportunity to work with outstanding coaches for nearly four weeks together. This type of training interval helps to build relationships and the competitive readiness for future national and international success. It will be a truly exciting and productive camp for our coaches and especially our swimmers.”

Synchro Canada is proud to announce that the 16 members of its 2017 Junior National Athlete Pool are:

NAME	CITY	CLUB
AYERS, Kelsey	Calgary, AB	Calgary Aquabelles
DUBREUIL, Noémie	Laval, QC	Synchro Laval
GURNEY, Teghyn	Toronto, ON	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
HANSEN, Julia	Calgary, AB	Calgary Aquabelles
HARGREAVES, Alana	Saskatoon, SK	Saskatoon Aqualenes
HOPPER, Paige	Calgary, AB	Calgary Aquabelles
JENSEN-LARGE, Olivia	Ottawa, ON	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
KRUGER, Adora	Calgary, AB	Calgary Aquabelles
LANDRY, Frédérike	Trois-Rivières, QC	Québec Excellence Synchro
LEUNG, Faustine	Toronto, ON	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
McLEAN, Maura	Toronto, ON	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
PARKER, Amy	Spruce Grove, AB	Aurora Synchro
REIGNER, Jaiden	Fredericton, NB	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
STIRRAT, Kendall	Vancouver, BC	Pacific Wave Synchro
TRUDEAU, Laurence	Boucherville, QC	Montréal Synchro
VASLYEVA, Luiza	Victoria, BC	Victoria Synchro

The group of 16 will be joined at the Choreography camp by the 4 junior-aged athletes who are also members of Synchro Canada’s NextGen Team:
 

NAME	CITY	CLUB
ARMSTRONG, Emily	Toronto, ON	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
BARRETT, Catherine	St. John’s, NL	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
STREMLAW, Kristin	Toronto, ON	Regional Training Centre – Ontario
WINKELAAR, Cassandra	Calgary, AB	Calgary Aquabelles

About Synchro Canada
Synchro Canada is an organization that fosters the pursuit of excellence while developing athletes, citizens, and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at all levels. From its 1924 beginnings in Montréal, synchronized swimming has been actively pursued by more than 70 countries worldwide. Canada proudly ranks among the best of these nations.

For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

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For information:

Stéphane Côté
Events & Communications Director
stephane@synchro.ca
418.420.2125