Largest Synchro Event Ever Coming to Washington State

More than 1,000 athletes from across the country will compete in the largest synchronized swimming event in the world when the 2014 eSynchro Age Group Championships begin June 26 in Federal Way, Wash.

Competitors ranging in age from 11 to 19 will compete June 26-July 5 for titles in solo, duet, trio and team events, with some hoping to use this meet as a vehicle for selection to national and college teams.

The Pacific Northwest Association of Synchronized Swimming is hosting the event at Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center.

"Our association is excited to host swimmers from across the country," said Tori Johnson, president of the Pacific Northwest Association of Synchronized Swimming. "We want competitors to have a memorable experience in Federal Way and the Pacific Northwest, enjoy the competition and check out our beautiful corner of the country."

Synchronized swimming requires a unique combination of strength, agility, endurance, flexibility and speed, all done while holding your breath and moving rapidly across a pool without touching the bottom.

To qualify for the 2014 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships, swimmers have been training for 10 months, competing in progressively more difficult meets in hopes of earning a spot to represent their region and club in Federal Way.

The host site's area has a "golden" reputation in synchronized swimming history. While the first recorded competition was in 1891 in Berlin, Germany, Team USA brought home the first Olympic gold medals during the debut Olympiad in 1984. Tracie Ruiz and Candy Costie of Seattle won gold in the duet competition. Their coach, Charlotte Davis, will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame this year, the 30th anniversary of the gold medal win.

Admission is $10 per day, or $25 for an all-event pass. More information can be found at: www.synchro2014nationals.org and  www.teamusa.org/USA-Synchronized-Swimming/Events/2014/June/27/2014-Age-Group-Championships

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

USA Synchro is based in Indianapolis and serves as the National Governing Body for the sport of synchronized swimming, appointed as such by the United States Olympic Committee. It is a membership based and not-for-profit organization which services the sport from the grass roots level to the National Team. The mission statement of USA Synchro is "to provide leadership and resources for the promotion and growth of synchronized swimming, to achieve competitive excellence at all levels and to develop broad based participation."