Stanford

2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
GENERAL INFORMATION
2008 QUICK FACTS
Location: .................................... Stanford, CA 94305-6150
Enrollment: ........................................................................ 14,890
(6,689 Undergraduates, 8,201 Graduates)
Founded: .................................................................................. 1891
Nickname: .......................................................................... Cardinal
Colors: ..........................................................Cardinal and White
Affiliation: ........................................................... NCAA Division I
President: ............................................................John Hennessy
Athletic Director: ................................................ Bob Bowlsby
Athletics Website: ....................................... gostanford.com
School Website: ....................................................stanford.edu
Head Coach: ....................................................... Heather Olson,
7th Season (Stanford, 1999)
Assistant Coach: ...................Alison Bartosik, 1st Season
Volunteer Coach: .. Elizabeth-Anne Markman, 1st Season
Team Manager: ................................. Ellen Cerf, 1st Season
Sports Administrator: ........................................Beth Goode
Media Relations: ....................................................Kyle McRae
Strength & Conditioning: ..................................Jason Quan
Trainer: .................................................................Scott Anderson
Synchronized Swimming Phone: ....... (650) 724-2395
Synchronized Swimming FAX: ........... (650) 725-0758
Poolside Phone: ........................................... (650) 544-5617
2006-07 National Finish: .................................................. 1st
2006-07 Dual Meet Record: .......................... Undefeated
Facility: ..................................................... Avery Aquatic Center
Capacity: ................................................................................ 2,530
ON THE COVERS
Front Cover: The 2008
Stanford Synchronized
Swimming team poses for its
media guide cover outside of
Memorial Church.
MEDIA INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Stanford Athletics
Media Relations Office
641 East Campus Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: (650) 723-4418
Fax: (650) 725-2957
Web: gostanford.com
Schedule.............................................................................. IFC
General Information ...........................................................1
Roster ......................................................................................2
Buck/Cardinal Club ...........................................................2
Season Outlook ....................................................................3
Coaching Staff ................................................................. 4-6
Profiles ............................................................................. 7-13
2007 In Review ........................................................ 14-15
History .......................................................................... 16-17
Future Events .....................................................................18
This Is Stanford ................................................19, 21-31
San Francisco Bay Area ...............................................20
Avery Aquatic Center .....................................................32
Synchronized Swimming Contact
Kyle McRae, Associate Director
Office: (650) 725-2959
Mobile: (650) 544-5617
Email: mcrae@stanford.edu
AVERY AQUATIC CENTER
Welcome: The Stanford Athletics Media Relations
Office appreciates your interest in the 2008 Stanford
Synchronized Swimming team. We hope the 2008
Stanford Synchronized Swimming Media Guide is a
helpful tool for you as you cover the Cardinal. We look
forward to serving members of the media throughout the 2008 season and will make every effort to
ensure your working experience is enjoyable. Following
are guidelines and information to help you with
your coverage of Stanford Synchronized Swimming.
Please contact Stanford Athletics Media Relations
Associate Director Kyle McRae (650-725-2959/
mcrae@stanford.edu) or any other member of the
Stanford Athletics Media Relations Office (650-7234418) with any questions.
Website: The Stanford Athletics website is located at
gostanford.com. Updated and detailed information on
all Stanford Athletics teams is available.
Inside Front Cover:
Pictured from top right after
a Melissa Knight-Courtenay
Stewart duet; a pinwheel
circle by the 2008 squad;
and the Cardinal posing during a photo shot in front of
Hoover Tower.
Stanford home synchronized swimming meets are held
on campus at the Avery Aquatic Center. Off Highway
101, use the Embarcadero Road West exit and head
west on Embarcadero Road. After crossing El Camino
Real, you will be on the Stanford campus and the road
becomes Galvez Drive. Take your first left on to Nelson
Road, and the road will lead directly to a parking lot for
the Avery Aquatic Center, off to your right when Nelson
Road dead ends into the parking lot. Off Interstate 280,
use the Page Mill Road exit and head east on Page Mill
Road. Turn left on to El Camino Real and then left again
on to Galvez Drive. Take another left on to Nelson Road
and the road will lead directly to the parking lot for the
Avery Aquatic Center on the right when Nelson Road
dead ends into the parking lot. Parking is free in this lot
for all home synchronized swimming meets. Also, the
Palo Alto CalTrain station is a 15-minute walk to the
Avery Aquatic Center and several Valley Transportation
Authority bus lines run along El Camino Real with a stop
at the Palo Alto CalTrain station. A free Marguerite
Shuttle runs regularly from the Palo Alto CalTrain
Station to the campus, including a stop at the corner of
Campus and Galvez, which is about a five minute walk
from the Avery Aquatic Center. For more information, go online to CalTrain (Caltrain.com), Marguerite
Shuttle (transportation.stanford.edu) and the Valley
Transportation Authority (vta.org).
Credits: The 2008 Stanford Synchronized Swimming
Media Guide has been written and edited by Emily
Deffner, Kyle McRae, Shaun Phillips and Brooke Sullivan
in the Stanford Athletics Media Relations Office, as
well as Alison Bartosik and Heather Olson from the
Stanford Synchronized Swimming coaching staff.
Layout and design by DeAnna Turner. Photography by Hector Garcia-Molina, David Gonzales,
Zoltan Gyongyi and Kyle Terada. Printing by
Doug Burns, db Print Solutions. Special
thanks to all Stanford Synchronized Swimming team members for their help in
the production of this guide.
Inside Back Cover: Some of the most famous campus landmarks arguably help make Stanford one of the
most beautiful college campus in the world.
Back Cover: Pictured from top are Stanford’s
solid second trio in 2007 of Samantha
Bongiovanni-Duclos, Melissa Knight and Poppy
Carlig; Courtenay Stewart getting a boost
from duet partner Sara Lowe; Knight
throwing Stewart over her head effortlessly at the end of the Cardinal’s
2007 team program; and just
another day at the pool for the
2008 Synchro squad.
OWN IT!
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 1
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • ROSTER
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • SEASON OUTLOOK
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING ROSTER
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRO SEASON OUTLOOK
NAME
Erin Bell*
Poppy Carlig***
Debbie Chen*
Allison Coates
Taylor Durand*
Melissa Knight***
Gayle Lee*
Sara Lowe***
Michelle Moore
Christy Park
Corinne Smith
Courtenay Stewart***
*returning letterwinners
The Stanford synchronized swimming team’s
rise to the top of both the collegiate and national
scene has turned the program into a legitimately
dominating dynasty. Stanford looks to continue
this legacy of success in 2008. The Cardinal
heads into the season as the three-time defending national collegiate champions after winning
every event entered last year.
The backbone of the 2008 Cardinal squad are
Olympians and senior co-captains Sara Lowe
and Courtenay Stewart.
“Sara and Courtenay will provide fantastic
leadership for this team,” said Stanford head
coach Heather Olson. “They have been leading our team by example for three years, and
we want them to have the best swims of their
career this year.”
Lowe and Stewart, both team captains
this season, are looking to ‘own the pool’
so to speak. This is the team’s theme for
the season and the Lowe/Stewart duet
has a clear goal for the team and their
duet.
“We want to have swims good enough
to score tens, and impressive enough
that we could compete with the top routines in the world,” explained Lowe.
Lowe and Stewart will have plenty of
support in 2008 with the return of six
other members from the 2007 championship team. Strong returning talent
for the Cardinal this season includes Erin Bell,
Poppy Carlig, Debbie Chen, Taylor Durand,
Melissa Knight and Gayle Lee.
In addition, the Cardinal boasts four promising freshmen, three with Junior National Team
experience on their resumes. The freshman foursome includes Allison Coates, Michelle Moore,
Christy Park and Corinne Smith.
“Our veterans feel a responsibility to pass
the torch on to the younger swimmers,” stated
Olson. “They want to teach the newcomers about
carrying on the legacy and tradition built here at
Stanford.”
The Stanford Synchronized Swimming team
carries a tradition of success in the classroom
and in the pool.
“Our legacy is not about winning, although
winning is always a bonus,” explained Olson. “Our
athletes are exceptional people. It is such a privilege for all of us to be a part of this team.”
In addition, the Cardinal has recent graduate and a key member of the 2003-07 teams
Elizabeth-Anne Markman taking on the role of
volunteer coach.
“It’s important that we have continuity
between past champions and the present team,”
offered Olson. “I’m excited that Liz wanted to help
our team in the volunteer role this season. She
is a great asset to this team. She is passionate
about Stanford Synchro and sets high expectations for our current student-athletes. We are
lucky to have her.”
Markman is not the only former synchronized
swimmer in a new role coaching for the Cardinal
this season with 2004 Olympic bronze medal-
HT
5-7
5-6
5-5
5-8
5-5
5-4
5-7
5-6
5-4
5-3
4-11
5-6
YR
Jr.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
So.
Sr.
So.
Sr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
EXP
1V
3V
1V
HS
1V
3V
1V
3V
HS
HS
HS
3V
HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL/LAST CLUB)
Walnut Creek, CA (Las Lomas HS/Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
Richmond, CA (Campolindo HS/Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Cerritos, CA (Whitney HS/Riverside Aquettes)
Centennial, CO (Littleton HS/Rocky Mountain Splash)
Etobicoke, Ontario (Silverthorn Collegiate Institute/Synchro Elite de Quebec)
Walnut Creek, CA (Las Lomas HS/Walnut Creek Aquanuts)
Singapore (Anglo-Chinese JC/Singapore National Team)
Sunnyvale, CA (Home School/Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Tonawanda, NY (Gorman HS/Riverside Aquettes)
San Jose, CA (The Harker School/Santa Clara Aquamaids)
Ridgefield, CT (Ridgefield HS/New Canaan Aquianas)
Huntington Beach, CA (Huntington Beach HS/Riverside Aquatics)
HEAD COACH: Heather Olson, 7th Season (Stanford, 1999)
ASSISTANT COACH: Alison Bartosik, 1st Season
VOLUNTEER COACH: Elizabeth-Anne Markman, 1st Season
TEAM MANAGER: Ellen Cerf, 1st Season
PRONUNCATION GUIDE
Poppy Carlig (CAR-lig)
Alison Bartosik (bar-toe-SICK)
Corinne Smith (cor-RIN)
In June of 1934, the “Tiny Buck of
the Month Club” was formed to raise the
necessary funds from Stanford alumni
and friends to pay the tuition costs for
capable, worthy and needy studentathletes. As the Club’s name implied,
membership dues were one dollar per
month and the word “tiny” was added
to emphasize the modest amount and
to honor head football coach, Claude
“Tiny” Thornhill. The Club later shortened
its name to the “Stanford Buck Club” and
revised its initial membership dues requirement.
Until the mid-1970’s, there were no athletic scholarships for women,
nor was there any fundraising organization devoted to this purpose. To
accomplish the task of raising scholarship funds for women, the Cardinal
Club was formed in 1977-78.
Under the guidance of the Buck and Cardinal Club leadership, a
merged Buck/Cardinal Club was formed in 1987 to raise funds for both
men’s and women’s athletic scholarships. The new volunteer organization
was built on the fine Buck and Cardinal Club traditions that served both
organizations well.
In 2007, the Stanford Athletic Department provided full operating
budgets to all 35 varsity sports. These budgets include all of the
components necessary for our programs to compete at the Division
I level. Because of this, none of our varsity sports will be required to
fundraise for their basic operating budgets effective fiscal year 2008
(September 1, 2007).
These new budgets will be funded in large part by a more robust
Buck/Cardinal Club, enabling our head coaches and their staffs to focus
their time and energy on coaching and recruiting instead of fundraising
for basic operating budgets. Our donors will receive Buck/Cardinal Club
benefits commensurate with their generosity.
Under the new Stanford Athletics annual giving program, the Buck/
Cardinal Club will not only include its great scholarship tradition, but also
assist the department’s coaches and staff in providing the resources
needed to compete at the highest level of NCAA Division I athletics.
Instead of receiving solicitations from individual sports, donors and
friends of Stanford Athletics will now receive a single solicitation from the
Buck/Cardinal Club. By giving a gift to the Buck/Cardinal Club, the donor
is giving both their favorite sport, and all of Stanford’s varsity sports, the
budget resources they need. Donors will also have the opportunity to let
us know which sports are their favorites at the time of the donation, and
sports will keep in touch with donors who specify interest in that specific
program.
For more information on the Buck/Cardinal Club and giving to
Stanford Athletics, please call (650) 724-9081 or visit gostanford.com/
giving.
OWN IT!
2 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
ist Alison Bartosik in her first
season as the squad’s assistant
coach.
“Alison has a great eye for
choreography, and she is enthusiastic about Stanford Synchro
and our student-athletes,” offered
Olson. “She has quickly gained the
respect of everyone on our team.”
The goal for this year’s squad is to create
choreography that has never been seen before
and improve our lift height and explosive power.
Looking to the international powerhouses as
its standard, the team will strive to improve its
athleticism and creativity.
“I am confident that with the great team
chemistry among student-athletes and staff that
we can make this happen,” concluded Olson.
Schedule
The regular season for the Cardinal includes
nine competition dates in a stretch of just over
six weeks. The team will utilize these competitions for testing routine choreography and fine
tuning routines before postseason action in
March.
Stanford starts its 2008 season January
26-27 at the William & Mary Invitational, where
one of the Cardinal’s top opponents will be thirdranked Incarnate Word.
“We’ll have to be prepared right from the
first meet of the season,” commented Olson.
“Incarnate Word is a strong team, and our
OWN IT!
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 3
routines will need to be
matched, synchronized and
energetic. This is a great
test run for our team to
be prepared for any pool,
any situation and to build
routine endurance.”
Stanford’s first home
meet at the Avery Aquatic
Center will be a two-day
event February 2-3 against
Alabama-Birmingham. The
Cardinal will then travel to
San Antonio for a two-day
meet against Incarnate
Word February 16-17
before a pair of showdowns
versus Arizona. Stanford will face off with the
Wildcats at Stanford on February 23 and at
Arizona on March 1. The Cardinal stays in
Tuscon an extra day for the Western Regionals
on March 2
“It’s great that we’ll be able to compete in a
venue that will also host the U.S. Nationals two
months later,” commented Olson.
Before Stanford competes at the U.S.
Nationals in Tucson from April 30 – May 4, the
Cardinal will first attempt to make it four straight
crowns at the Collegiate Nationals hosted by
fierce rival Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, from
March 26-29.
“It’s going to be challenging to face Ohio State
in its own pool,” Bartosik explained. “We want
to encourage lots of supporters and alumni to
come cheer on Stanford Synchro to help us win
this battle.”
“I’m very excited about this year’s team and its
chances at both Collegiate and U.S. Nationals,”
Olson continued. “We have a strong and
motivated team that is looking to have the best
swims of the year at Nationals. We want to be
the highest, fastest, strongest and most athletic
team out there.”
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • COACHING STAFF
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • COACHING STAFF
ALISON
HEATHER
OLSON
HEAD COACH
7TH SEASON
Heather Olson enters her seventh season as the head coach of the
Stanford synchronized swimming program in 2008. A former synchronized
swimmer at Stanford, Olson graduated from Stanford in 1999 with a B.A. in
English. As both an athlete and coach, Olson has been fundamental in building
Stanford into one of the top collegiate synchronized swimming programs in
the nation. In her time on The Farm, she has played a role in four of the five
Cardinal national championships, as an athlete in 1998 and as a coach for
three straight seasons from 2005-07. Olson has also been responsible for
bringing some of the nation’s top student-athletes to
The Farm, boasting some of the best recruiting
classes in collegiate synchronized swimming
history.
Olson brings the enthusiasm and dedication
necessary to dominate in synchronized
swimming, as seen in 2007 with
the Stanford’s sweep of the U.S.
Nationals and Collegiate Nationals.
Last season, Olson led the team
to its third straight Collegiate
National championship, after sweeping the gold medals in solo, duet,
trio and team. For her efforts,
Olson was honored as the
Collegiate Coach of the
Year for the third season
in a row, in addition
to being named the
2007 U.S. Coach of
the Year. In April, she
led Stanford to the
gold medal at U.S.
Nationals in solo, duet
and team, the first time
in history for a collegiate
program. Olson’s team
also dethroned club powerhouse the Santa Clara
Aquamaids in all events.
In addition, the Cardinal
was also unbeaten in the
regular season.
In 2006, Stanford
won its third Collegiate
National championship
and took silver at U.S.
Nationals. Olson’s ath-
letes earned the gold medal in the duet event, becoming the first collegiate
team ever to do so. Again, Olson was named the Collegiate Coach of the Year.
She also led Stanford to the silver medal at U.S. Nationals, and brought the
team within a point of gold.
In 2005, Olson’s team swept Collegiate Nationals and claimed four medals
at U.S. Nationals, including a gold by Katie Norris in the solo event, where
the team finished second overall. Olson was inducted into the Synchro Hall
of Fame, named the Collegiate Coach of the Year and received the Esther
Williams Creative Achievement Award.
In 2004, she successfully recruited the best incoming freshman class in
collegiate synchronized swimming history.
Overall, Olson has led the Cardinal team to three first place finishes and
three second place finishes at Collegiate Nationals in just six seasons at
Stanford. She has also led the team to a first place finish, two second place
finishes and a fourth place finish at U.S. Nationals.
During her collegiate athletic career, Olson captained the Stanford squad
in 1998 and led the Cardinal to its first-ever national title. She was a multiple
U.S. Synchronized Swimming All-American (1994, 1995, 1996, 2000) and
Collegiate All-American (1997, 1998). She also received the Stanford “Block
S” Outstanding Athlete Award her junior year (1998).
Olson was a two-year member of the Junior National Team, a five-year
member of the First National Team, and a two-time U.S. Olympic Team
member (1996, 2000), winning a gold medal in 1996. She was honored
as the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Athlete of the Year in both 1996 and
2000, and as Olympic team captain in 2000. Olson coached for one of the
top clubs in the country, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts, and led nationwide
Olympic clinics from 1996-2001. She served as a volunteer coach at
Stanford before assuming head coach responsibilities in the Fall of
2001.
Olson is entering the fourth and final year of a four-year term as
the AAC Athlete Representative for the USOC. In 2005, she won
the Ninetta Davis Athlete Representative Award for service as an
Athlete’s Representative. She is a member of the National Team
Program committee and has been selected among the top coaches
in the country to be a potential National Team coach. She also served
as a 2004 USOC SUMMIT Committee member alongside seven other
Olympic gold medalists. Additionally, Olson is a member of the Board
of Directors, which enacts and modifies the rules of the United States
Synchronized Swimming Corporation.
Olson and her husband Erick, a firefighter/paramedic, have been
married for eight years.
BARTOSIK
ASSISTANT COACH
1ST SEASON
Olympic bronze medalist Alison Bartosik is in her first season as an
assistant coach at Stanford. Bartosik began her tenure on The Farm in
September of 2007 after spending the majority of the previous summer as
an assistant coach for USA National Team II working with the solo, combo
and team groups in preparation for the Swiss Open. She is also currently a
technician, instructor and coach for U.S. Synchro Clinics.
At Stanford, Bartosik is responsible for assisting with the administration of
recruiting, training, practice, fundraising, team management and team travel
for a Cardinal squad that has won three straight Collegiate National titles as
well as the U.S. National crown in 2007.
“I take great pride in my position at Stanford,” said Bartosik. “It’s an honor
to be part of a program of this caliber, and I’m going to do my best to keep it
at the top.”
“Alison is a great new resource for our team,” added Stanford synchronized swimming head coach Heather Olson. “She fits in with our team dynamics easily, and her enthusiasm and experience give us the edge we need to
stay on top. After watching Alison coach the last few years, I knew she would
be perfect for our team.”
Bartosik coached during both the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the
Santa Clara Aquamaids as an assistant. Her 2007 squad placed first in
every event at Junior Nationals and third at Senior Nationals. In 2006, her
Senior duet team took second and is currently the squad scheduled to compete in the event at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. She spent
the 2005 campaign as a youth coach with the Las Vegas Synchronettes and
Nevada Desert Mermaids squad that was second among 12-13 year olds at
the Age Group Nationals.
Bartosik had a fantastic career as a synchronized swimmer that was
capped by a pair of bronze medals in both duet and team at the 2004
Summer Olympic Games in Athens. She was also a silver medalist in the duet
at the 2004 World Grand Prix in Japan and a gold medalist in both duet and
team at the 2003 Pan American Games.
She finished her competitive synchronized swimming career with 27
national titles and 11 international crowns.
In addition, Bartosik has been the public face of synchronized swimming
on several occasions as she has been interviewed by several high-profile
television personalities including David Letterman, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Chris
Connolley and Summer Sanders. She also starred in the NYU film documentary on her 2004 Olympic Journey.
Bartosik is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at nearby
Santa Clara University.
The addition of Markman in a volunteer role will provide the Cardinal with
a third coach at practice so Stanford will be able to work on three routines
simultaneously with one coach overseeing each session. She will also assist with
conditioning workouts, choreography and routine matching.
In addition, she has expressed interest in working with the media relations
office during the 2008 season to increase the exposure of synchronized swimming.
“I am so exciting to be working with the team this year,” said Markman. “Our
team is unique in that everyone has something different to contribute to the group
yet they all share a great passion for swimming and academics. I am very proud to
be a part of their 2008 season.”
ELIZABETH-ANNE
MARKMAN
VOLUNTEER COACH
1ST SEASON
Elizabeth-Anne Markman is in her first season as a volunteer coach with the
Stanford Synchronized Swimming program in 2008 after wrapping up a successful four-year with career with the Cardinal last season. Markman provides
this year’s team with a link to the past three seasons when the Cardinal was the
Collegiate National champion and became the first collegiate squad to take the
team competition at the 2007 U.S. Nationals.
Markman, who is a four-time U.S. National Team member, is currently a coterm student at Stanford working on her Master’s degree in Communications and
a Bachelor’s in Psychology.
Last season, she was selected as one of the Stanford Athletic Board’s two
outstanding senior female student-athletes after helping Stanford to its third
straight title at the 2007 Collegiate Nationals as a member of the winning trio and
team lineups. She was also a winner in the same three events at U.S. Nationals in
2007. In addition, Markman was named the 2007 Collegiate Athlete of the Year,
which is an award given annually to the athlete who has contributed to collegiate
synchronized swimming and was nominated based on achievement in athletics,
academics and community service. She was also a Collegiate All-American as well
as an Academic All-American in 2007 for the fourth consecutive season each.
Markman had also previously been a national champion in the team competition
at both the 2005 and 2006 Collegiate Nationals, as well as the Stanford team
captain in 2006.
Her top international highlight came in October of 2006 when she was on the
winning team at the Trophy World Cup that beat Russia for the first time since
1996.
ELLEN
CERF
TEAM MANAGER
1ST SEASON
Stanford student Ellen Cerf will be in her first season as the team manager for
Stanford Synchro in 2008. Cerf’s primary duties will include travel organization
and community outreach. She will also serve in an unofficial role as the team’s
cheerleader and assist the coaching staff in a wide variety of other tasks.
“Ellen has amazing enthusiasm and lifts our team’s spirits even on the toughest
days,” said Stanford head coach Heather Olson. “Her work helps keep us organized
so we can focus on coaching and making the team stronger, faster and higher.”
“Working with Stanford Synchro is such a thrill,” adds Cerf, who was a prep synchronized swimmer at Edina High School in Minnesota. “I am surrounded by some
of the most motivated and talented people on campus, and I am constantly aware
of their accomplishments. They truly represent Stanford in the best way possible,
and I am so lucky to be a part of that.”
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
4 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 5
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • COACHING STAFF
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
POPPY CARLIG
ERIN BELL
Stanford
5-6, SENIOR
RICHMOND, CA
CAMPOLINDO HS
SANTA CLARA AQUAMAIDS
5-7, JUNIOR
WALNUT CREEK, CA
LAS LOMAS HS
WALNUT CREEK AQUANUTS
SYNCHRO
Home of Champions
Stanford University has a tremendous reputation in academics, athletics, medicine, research, entrepreneurship; the list could go on and on. The name and the tireless pursuit of excellence speaks volumes world wide. It is
a tradition that I am excited and privileged to be a part of for the first time.
As a newcomer to the Stanford community, I was overwhelmed by the friendly welcome from the entire athletic
department. The staff and coaches have made me feel like I am a member of a close knit team that extends
far beyond our synchro squad. I am always met by a smile and a warm hello. It is a joy to come to work. I feel
extremely lucky because not many people experience that luxury.
United States Synchronized Swimming is a small world where all the elite athletes and coaches are familiar
with each other. Over the years, Heather Olson has done a fabulous job with developing the Stanford Synchro
program. In the past, club teams have been the dominant force in our sport. However, within the last couple years
the sport is evolving to include a very viable place for collegiate teams. I believe that the future of U.S. Synchro
rests in enabling collegiate athletes to join the club athletes to compete on National Teams. Therefore, I was
thrilled when Heather offered me the opportunity to join the team, and I know our years together will be rewarding.
The Stanford Synchro team is comprised of intelligent, beautiful, hardworking young women managing a balancing act between studies and sport. I am thoroughly impressed and getting to know them as people in and out of
the water is a pleasure. We have ambitious goals, and I am looking forward to a great competitive season filled
with lasting memories.
2007 Season: Granted a redshirt.
2006 Season: Captured 3rd in trio and 1st in team at Collegiate Nationals
• Placed 8th overall in technical elements • Named Division I Collegiate
All-American • An All-Academic honoree • Placed 2nd in team at U.S.
Nationals.
High School/Club: Member of the 2005 Junior National Team • Captured
2nd in team at 2005 U.S. Open • Was 1st in combo, 2nd in team and 12th
in figures at 2005 Pan American Games • Placed 2nd in team, 2nd in trio,
4th in duet and 10th in figures at 2005 Junior Nationals • Captured 3rd in
team at 2005 U.S. Nationals • In 2004, took 2nd in team and 4th in duet at
Junior Nationals, as well as 7th in team and 12th in duet at Senior Nationals
• At 2004 U.S. Open, took 2nd in trio, 3rd in team, 4th in combo and 8th in
duet • Was a member of the Junior National Team in 2003 and competed
at the U.S. Open, where the team took 2nd • At 2003 Junior Nationals,
placed 6th in team, 7th in figures and 10th in solo • At 2002 Junior
Nationals, took 4th in team and 10th in duet • At Age Group Nationals
in 2002, placed 1st in duet, 1st in trio, 2nd in team and 4th in figures •
At 2002 U.S. Open, placed 1st in duet, 1st in team, 4th in trio and 8th in
figures • Received the Jill Turner Sportsmanship Award in 2003 and 2004
• California Scholarship Federation Lifetime Member.
GETTING TO KNOW ERIN BELL
Here’s to the 2008 season and many more to come. Go Cardinal!
Alison Bartosik
Assistant Coach
Parents: Gordon and Cherryl Bell
Major: Engineering
Greatest Athletic Moment: Winning NCAA’s at Stanford my freshman year
The biggest thrill in my life to date is: Completing a 55 mile backpacking
trip in Evolution Valley
Favorite Movie: Jerry Maguire
Best Advice Received: There is more in you than you know
The people who have had the greatest influence in my life are: My best
friend and my parents
My favorite sports moment in history is: The 1980 United States hockey
victory over Russia
Place I’d most like to visit: Africa
The thing I love most about sports is: The camaraderie
My parents were right when they told me: To keep balance in my life
Funniest Teammate: Debbie Chen, for all of her “Debbism’s”
Interests: Backpacking, outdoor activities, quilting, family and friends
2007 Season: Captured 1st in team and 4th in trio at Collegiate Nationals
• Received All-American honors • Finished 1st in team at U.S. Nationals •
Member of the 2007 U.S. World Championships Team.
2006 Season: Captured 1st in team, 3rd in trio and 3rd in duet at
Collegiate Nationals • Placed 7th overall in technical elements • Named a
Division I Collegiate All-American • Placed 2nd in team and 6th in duet at
U.S. Nationals • Member of the U.S. National Team I • Represented the
U.S. at the Swiss Open and FINA World Cup in Yokohama, Japan • Member
of U.S. team that claimed gold in the combination event at the FINA World
Trophy Cup in Moscow, Russia.
2005 Season: Placed 1st in team, 3rd in trio and 9th in elements at
Collegiate Nationals • Received All-American honors • Captured 2nd in
team and 9th in duet at U.S. Nationals • Member of the U.S. National Team
II • Represented the U.S. at the U.S. Open and claimed 1st in combo and
2nd in duet.
High School/Club: Member of the 2003 and 2004 Junior National Teams
• Captured 4th in team at the 2003 Junior Worlds in Moscow, Russia •
Named to the 2003 Junior All-American Team • In 2004, captured 1st in
team and trio, 2nd in duet, and 8th in figures at the 2004 Junior National
Championships • Placed 7th in team and 11th in duet at U.S. Nationals
• Placed 1st in duet at the 2004 Senior West Zone Championships • In
2003, captured 1st in team at the Senior West Zone Championships, 5th in
team at U.S. Nationals, and 2nd in trio, 3rd in team and 9th in solo at Junior
Nationals, as well as 2nd in team at U.S. Open • Received the Santa Clara
Aquamaids Marge Reeves Award for Most Promising Up and Coming Athlete
in 2003 • Voted Most Outstanding Senior of Campolindo’s class of 2004.
GETTING TO KNOW POPPY CARLIG
Parents: Joseph Carlig and Auna Longrpé
Major: Human Biology
The reason I love synchronized swimming is: It combines my love of the
water, dance and music … Also the feeling you get when your team has an
amazing swim – swimming together with one heart and feeling unstoppable is unlike any other feeling in the world
Favorite Pre-Meet Ritual: Saying I love you to my family and wearing my
lucky towel
Greatest Athletic Moment: Hearing my named called the first year I made
the National Team, and then last year having the perfect season and being
named the first Collegiate team to ever win the U.S. Nationals
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: To live life one day at a time, and
when the going gets tough, you can always choose to get tougher
My favorite thing to do on the Stanford campus is: Laugh with my best friends
The person I admire the most is: My mom
Advice To Youngsters: Find your passion and follow it to its extreme
Hobbies: Swimming, dancing, traveling and doing
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
6 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 7
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
ALLISON
COATES
DEBBIE CHEN
5-5, SOPHOMORE
CERRITOS, CA
WHITNEY HS
RIVERSIDE AQUETTES
5-8, FRESHMAN
CENTENNIAL, CO
LITTLETON HS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPLASH
2007 Season: Captured 1st in team at Collegiate Nationals and 1st in team
at U.S. Nationals.
High School/Club: Member of the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Junior National
Teams, as well as the 2006 U.S. National Team II • In 2006, captured gold
at the U.S. Open in the team and combo events • Placed 1st in team and
figures, 2nd in trio and 6th in duet at 2006 Junior Nationals • Placed 4th in
2006 at Junior National Team Trials • In 2005, placed 2nd in team, 3rd in
combo and 10th in figures at the U.S. Open • Captured 1st in combo, 2nd
in team and 8th in figures at the 2005 Junior Pan American Games • Took
4th in team at the 2004 Junior Worlds in Moscow, Russia • At the 2003
Junior West Zones, captured 1st in solo, 2nd in figures, 2nd in team and
4th in duet • Placed 1st in figures, 2nd in team, 4th in solo and 5th in duet
at 2003 Age Group Nationals.
GETTING TO KNOW DEBBIE CHEN
Parents: Albert and Joanne Chen
Major: Undeclared but plans to major in Human Biology with an interest in
pediatrics and neurology
Earliest Synchronized Swimming Memory: Doing a Rugrats themed routine when I was 11 years old
Great Athletic Moment: Making the 2004 Junior Worlds Team
The teammates I admire most are: Sara Lowe and Courtenay Stewart,
because they seem to have it all and are very humble about their successes
What sets Stanford Synchronized Swimming apart from other collegiate programs is: We emphasize excellence in the sport as well as in
life as a whole, and we push each other to succeed in whatever we do, in
and out of the pool
If I were not participating in collegiate synchronized swimming, I would
be: Trying new sports, joining Stanford Taiko and windsurfing
I am most thankful in my life for: My family, teammates, friends and experiences
Hobbies: Watching movies, listening to music, working on arts and crafts,
reading and trying new things
High School/Club: Team placed 3rd at Age Group Nationals and 2nd at
North Zones in 2007 • Honors included USA Synchronized Swimming
Synchro Swimmer of the Quarter, Rocky Mountain Association All-Star Team
First Place Swimmer and North Zone Synchro Swimmer of the Year • A
three-time qualifier for the Junior National Team Trials • Received Academic
Honor Roll honors every semester, as well as Academic Letter, International
Baccalaureate Diploma and National Merit Commended recognition.
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
5-5, SOPHOMORE
ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO
SILVERTHORN COLLEGIATE
INSTITUTE
SYNCHRO ELITE DE QUEBEC
5-4, SENIOR
WALNUT CREEK, CA
LAS LOMAS HS
WALNUT CREEK AQUANUTS
2007 Season: Captured 1st in team and 4th in trio at Collegiate Nationals
• Received All-American honors • Finished 1st in team at U.S. Nationals.
2007 Season: Captured 1st in team at Collegiate Nationals and U.S.
Nationals • Placed 1st in B Figures at Collegiate Nationals.
High School/Club: In 2006, claimed 1st in the junior team competition,
2nd in the senior team competition and 4th in combo at Canadian Nationals
• Member of the Canadian 2nd national team • Claimed 2nd in team and
combo at the 2006 U.S. Open, as well as 3rd in team at the Loano Cup in
Loano, Italy • In 2005, was a member of Team Ontario and placed 2nd in
team at the Sr. Spanish Open in Valencia, Spain • Awarded principal’s honors
every semester in high school • Academic interest in business.
GETTING TO KNOW ALLISON COATES
Parents: Steve and Marianne Coates
Major: Undeclared but plans to major in Pre-Med Human Biology
I collect: Nike posters and books
What people don’t know about me is: I rode next to Lance Armstrong last
year on a bike tour across Iowa
The best thing about Stanford is: The diversity in people, places, professors, and activities, and the way the entire campus encourages this diversity and uniqueness
If I were not participating in collegiate synchronized swimming, I would
be: Probably on the triathlon or cycling club team and doing more volunteer work
Advice To Youngsters: Nothing beats hard work and dedication … If you
want something, you need to fight every day for it and live your life on
purpose
The people who have had the greatest influence in my life are: My club
team coaches – Andrea, Shari and Melanie
My most prized possession is: A box that I have with all the pictures and
cards from family and friends over the years
I am most thankful in my life for: A family that has supported me every
step of the way
Hobbies: Running, dancing, reading, snowboarding, cycling tours, triathlons
and watching football
MELISSA
KNIGHT
TAYLOR DURAND
GETTING TO KNOW TAYLOR DURAND
Parents: Dale and Jo-Ann Durand
Double Major: Undeclared but planning to double major in Economics and
Communications
I collect: Quotes by my teammate Debbie Chen
Earliest Synchronized Swimming Memory: Having nightmares about swimming a full lap under water
Greatest Athletic Moment: Winning Canadian Nationals in 2006
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: That asking for help is not a sign
of weakness
Favorite Sports Memory: Stanford football beating USC in 2007
The favorite place I ever have visited is: The Azure Coast
If I won a lot of money, I would: Give it to my parents for putting up with me
for 19 years
Hobbies: Traveling, watching movies, shopping, going to amusement parks
and trying other sports
2006 Season: Placed 1st in team, 3rd in trio and 6th in elements at
Collegiate Nationals • Received All-American honors • Placed 2nd in team
at U.S. Nationals.
2005 Season: Placed 1st in team and 3rd in trio at Collegiate Nationals •
Received All-American honors and recognized as an Academic All-American
• Captured 2nd in team and 9th in duet at U.S. Nationals.
High School/Club: Member of the 2004 Junior National Team • Captured
4th in team at 2004 Junior Worlds in Moscow, Russia • Placed 3rd in team
at the 2004 U.S. Nationals • Captured 2nd in team and 4th in duet at 2004
Junior Nationals • In 2003, placed 2nd in team and 12th in duet at U.S.
Nationals, and captured 1st in team and 6th in duet at Junior Nationals •
Placed 1st in trio, 3rd in team and 6th in duet at the 2003 U.S. Open • At
the 2002 Speedo Juniors took 3rd in trio and 4th in team • Placed 4th in
team and 9th in trio at the 2001 Junior Nationals • Also competed in water
polo and swimming in high school • Two-Year Governor’s Scholarship Winner
• California Scholarship Federation Lifetime Member.
GETTING TO KNOW MELISSA KNIGHT
Parents: Andrew and Sue Knight
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Pre-Meet Ritual: Listening to the “Inches” speech from Any Given
Sunday
The favorite facility I have performed in is: Moscow, Russia
The people who have had the greatest influence in my life are: My parents and my grandparents
Favorite Sports Moment: Even though it was bad for Stanford, The Play
from the 1982 Cal-Stanford football game was pretty insane
Favorite Stanford Synchronized Swimming Moment: Being the first collegiate team ever to win the U.S. National team title
Ten years from now, I would like to be: Happy
If I could bring anything with me from my hometown, it would be: My two
dogs, Max and Koa
It runs in the family: Younger sister, Molly, is also a synchronized swimmer
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
8 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 9
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
GAYLE LEE
GETTING TO KNOW GAYLE LEE
5-7, SOPHOMORE
SINGAPORE
ANGLO-CHINESE JC
SINGAPORE NATIONAL TEAM
2007 Season: Alternate on 1st place team at Collegiate Nationals
• Received Academic All-American honors • Took 2nd in B Figures at
Collegiate Nationals and 13th in solo at U.S. Nationals.
Parents: Alex Lee and Joyce Liew
Major: Undeclared but planning to major in Mechanical Engineering with an
emphasis in Product Design
Earliest Synchronized Swimming Memory: Not liking nose clips
For me to improve as a person, I need to: Spend more time on the important things in life
The reason I love synchronized swimming is: The feeling of freedom of
motion in the water
If I were not participating in collegiate synchronized swimming, I would
be: Deprived of one of the most amazing experiences of college, and missing the close-knit team
Advice To Youngsters: Always challenge yourself and ask “why not?”
The thing I love most about sports is: Being able to forget about everything
else for a while and just focus on the sport
Enjoys: Reading, listening to a cappella and cooking
High School/Club: In 2006, placed first in the open solo at the 1st
Singapore Nationals • Placed 6th in solo at the 7th Asia Swimming
Championships, 8th in solo at the Korean Nationals and 15th in solo at the
Japan Open in 2006 • In 2005, placed 2nd in solo and 3rd in duet at the
Malaysian Open • Also placed 3rd in junior solo at the 2005 Australian Open
• First Singaporean to compete at the 11th FINA World Championships in
2006, placing 30th in solo, as well as at the U.S. Junior Open, placing 22nd
in solo • Has represented Singapore since 2001.
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
SARA LOWE
5-6, SENIOR
SUNNYVALE, CA
HOME SCHOOL
SANTA CLARA AQUAMAIDS
2007 Season: Captured 1st in solo, 1st in duet, 1st in trio and 1st in team
at Collegiate Nationals • Received All-American honors • Placed 1st in solo,
1st in duet and 1st in team at U.S. Nationals to earn National Athlete of the
Year honors.
2006 Season: Captured 1st in solo, 1st in duet and 1st in team at
Collegiate Nationals • Placed 2nd overall in technical elements • Received
the High Point Athlete Award and All-American honors • Placed 1st in duet,
2nd in solo and 2nd in team at U.S. Nationals • Earned one of the Stanford
Athletic Board’s three Outstanding Female Sophomore awards.
2005 Season: Placed 1st in trio, duet and team, and 3rd in elements at
Collegiate Nationals • Received the High Point Athlete Award, All-American
and All-Academic honors • Captured 2nd in duet and team, as well as 3rd in
team at U.S. Nationals • Member of the U.S. National Team I • Represented
the U.S. at the World Championships and claimed 4th in duet, 4th in team
and 5th in combo.
High School/Club: Named 2004 U.S. Athlete of the Year for her Olympic
participation • Captured 3rd in team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens,
Greece • Captured 1st in team at the Pan American Games • Placed 2nd
in combo and 3rd in team at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona,
Spain • In 2002, placed 3rd in team and 10th in duet at the World Cup
• Was 3rd in duet, 4th in solo and 7th in team at 2003 Junior Worlds •
Placed 1st in team and 8th in solo at 2003 U.S. Nationals • Captured 1st in
solo and figures at 2003 Junior Nationals • Placed 5th in team and 6th in
duet at 2002 Junior Worlds • In 2000, placed 2nd in team and 3rd in duet
at the American Cup • USSS Junior All-American (1999-2001) • USSS AllAmerican Team I (2001-03) • 2001 Carol Dentch Award.
GETTING TO KNOW SARA LOWE
Parents: Dean and Cindy Lowe
Major: Communication
Stanford Campus Activities Outside of Athletics: Tutoring
Earliest Synchronized Swimming Memory: Of my grandmother teaching
me fun synchro moves in the lake by her house
The biggest thrill in my life to date: The Olympics
The reasons I chose Stanford are: Overwhelming opportunities to interact
with people (professors) who are at the top of their field … You are surrounded by people constantly questioning things and developing their own
ideas/thoughts
The people I most admire are: My parents
Advice To Youngsters: Give everything you’ve got to everything you do
The thing I most love about sport is: The competitiveness
Hobbies: Running, reading and watching the Food Network
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
10 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 11
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
MICHELLE
MOORE
CHRISTY PARK
5-3, FRESHMAN
SAN JOSE, CA
THE HARKER SCHOOL
SANTA CLARA AQUAMAIDS
5-4, FRESHMAN
TONAWANDA, NY
GORMAN HS
RIVERSIDE AQUETTES
High School/Club: Member of 2006 Junior National Team • Captured
7th in combo and 9th in team at the 2006 Junior World Championships in
Guangzhou, China • Earned 1st in trio at 2007 U.S. Open in Hawaii, 3rd in
team and 7th in solo • Placed 2nd in team at 2007 Junior Nationals, as well
as 3rd in trio and 11th in solo • In 2006 placed 1st in team, 4th in trio and
6th in duet at Junior Nationals • Captured 6th in team at the 2006 Senior
Nationals in Fort Lauderdale • At 2005 U.S. Open, placed 2nd in duet, team
was 4th and 13th in solo • Dominated the Age Group Nationals in 2005 by
capturing 1st in both team and duet, as well as 4th in solo.
High School/Club: Member of the 2006 USA Junior National Team •
Placed 7th in combo and 9th in team at 2006 FINA World Synchronized
Swimming Championships in Guangzhou, China • Captured 2nd in combo at
the 2006 Rome Open and 4th in team • 3rd in team at 2007 U.S. Senior
Nationals • Was 1st in team and 7th in figures at the 2007 U.S. Junior
Nationals • In 2006, was 5th in team and 11th in duet at U.S. Senior
Nationals • Placed 3rd in both team and duet at 2006 US Junior Nationals
• Finished 3rd in team and 6th in duet at 2005 U.S. Junior Nationals • Was
5th in duet and 11th in solo at 2005 U.S. Open • Captured 1st in solo at
the 2005 Age Group Championships • In 2004, earned 3rd in team and
4th in duet at U.S. Open Championships • Presented with “High Honors” all
four years of high school.
GETTING TO KNOW MICHELLE MOORE
Parents: Dennis and Barbara Moore
Major: Undeclared but planning to major in Pre-Med Human Biology
Earliest Synchronized Swimming Memory: My first trio to the Lion King
when I was seven years old
The favorite city I have performed in is: Guangzhou, China
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: To broaden my horizons
The people I admire most are: My family
Best Advice Received: To feel like I’m floating
Ten years from now, I would like to be: A pediatrician
My parents were right when they told me: That if you work hard, it will pay
off
Synchro Sisters: Sister Heather competed on the synchronized swimming
team for Ohio State, while sister Kristina was on the synchronized swimming squad for the Arizona Aqua Stars and Cansius
Hobbies: Reading, shopping and playing piano
GETTING TO KNOW CHRISTY PARK
Parents: Sam and Jinhee Park
Major: Undeclared
Greatest Athletic Moment: Being named to the 2006 USA Junior National
Team
Advice To Youngsters: Always try your best in whatever you do
The people who have had the greatest influence in my life are: My family,
friends and coaches
If I won a lot of money, I would: Use it to give back to those who gave to me
The thing I love most about sports is: Being part of a team who is my
extended family
I am most thankful in my life for: Good health and all the wonderful people
in my life
Favorite Midnight Snack: Cereal
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • PROFILES
COURTENAY
STEWART
CORINNE SMITH
4-11, FRESHMAN
RIDGEFIELD, CT
RIDGEFIELD HS
NEW CANAAN AQUIANAS
High School/Club: Member of the 2007 U.S. Junior National Team • In
2007, earned 3rd in team at U.S. Junior Open, as well as 5th in team, 8th
in duet and 9th in solo at U.S. Junior Nationals • Member of the 2006-07
East Zone All-Star Team and winner of the 2006-07 East Zone ScholarAthlete Award • Placed 2nd in solo and 3rd in both team and duet at the
2006 Age Group Pan American Games • 2006 East Zone Synchronized
Swimming Athlete of the Year • In 2006, finished 2nd in team, 3rd in solo
and 5th in duet at U.S. Junior Open • Captured 1st in team, 2nd in duet and
4th in solo at 2006 U.S. Age Group Nationals • Earned 6th in team at 2006
U.S. Junior Nationals • In 2005, placed 6th in team at U.S. Junior Nationals
and 8th in duet at U.S. Junior Open • Was also 1st in duet and 2nd in team
at 2005 U.S. Age Group Nationals • Captured 1st in team, 2nd in duet
and 3rd in solo at 2005 Hungarian Orka Open • Placed 2nd in team at the
2003 Finnish Open • High school academic honors include winning The Ohio
State University Book Award; Awards in excellence in Geometry, Physics and
Spanish; and Awards for Achievement in Biology, English, Chemistry, History
and Physics.
GETTING TO KNOW CORINNE SMITH
Parents: P. Toby and Sally Hass-Smith
Major: Undeclared
Earliest Synchronized Swimming Memory: When I had a broken arm from
gymnastics, but I made sure I got a waterproof cast so I could still swim
Greatest Athletic Moment: Winning the duet title at 2005 U.S. Age Group
Nationals
After my Stanford career, I would like to be remembered as: Someone
who makes a difference
The thing I love most about sports is: The competition
My parents were right when they told me: That drinking my milk would
make me strong
I am most thankful in my life for: Having been able to have all the opportunities and experiences that I have had
I’d like to switch places for a day with: My dad
Hobbies: Dancing, being outside and building sand castles
5-6, SENIOR
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
HUNTINGTON BEACH HS
RIVERSIDE AQUATICS
2007 Season: Captured 1st in duet, 1st in trio and 1st in team at Collegiate
Nationals • Named an Honorary All-American and earned the Collegiate High
Point Award • Finished 1st in duet and 1st in team at U.S. Nationals.
2006 Season: Captured 1st in duet, 1st in team and 2nd in trio at Collegiate
Nationals • Placed 1st in technical elements • Placed 1st in duet and 2nd in
team at U.S. Nationals.
2005 Season: Placed 1st in trio, duet and team, and 6th in elements at
Collegiate Nationals • Named Division I All-Collegiate • Captured 2nd in
duet and team, and 8th in solo at U.S. Nationals • Member of the Canadian
National Team I • Represented Canada at the World Championships and
claimed 4th in combo, 5th in duet and 5th in team.
High School/Club: Member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic Team • Captured
5th in team and 6th in duet at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece •
Placed 5th in duet and team at the 2004 Olympic qualifying meet in Athens,
Greece • Placed 2nd in duet at the 2004 Japan Open • In 2003, placed 2nd
in duet and team at the Pan American Games, while capturing 4th in combo
and 5th in duet and team at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain
• Captured 1st in solo, duet and team at the 2003 Canadian Nationals • In
2002, placed 2nd in duet, 3rd in team and 8th in figures at Junior Worlds
• Captured 1st in duet, figures and trio at the 2003 U.S. Junior Nationals
• Placed 2nd in solo and figures at 2003 Canadian Nationals • In 2001,
placed 4th in team at Junior Worlds • Captured 3rd in team at the 2000
Rome Open.
GETTING TO KNOW COURTENAY STEWART
Parents: Roy and Nancy Stewart
Major: Human Biology
Big Plans: Plans to attend medical school after graduation from Stanford
Favorite Pre-Meet Ritual: Listening to the speech from Any Given Sunday
Greatest Athletic Moment: Walking into the Olympic Stadium in Athens
for Opening Ceremonies and being able to share that moment with my
teammates
The favorite facility I have performed in is: The 1992 Olympic Pool in
Barcelona
My favorite class at Stanford is: Critical Issues in International Women’s
Health
Best Advice Received: “Be who you are and say what you feel cause those
who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” – Dr. Seuss
The thing I love most about sports is: The adrenaline rush
My parents were right when they told me: To take the high road
Synchro Sister: Sister Caitlin will be a sophomore on the Ohio State synchro team in 2008
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, listening to music and snowboarding
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
12 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 13
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 2007 IN REVIEW
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 2007 IN REVIEW
2007 STANFORD SYNCHRO SEASON REVIEW
The Stanford Synchronized Swimming team continued its remarkable run in
2007 with its third straight U.S. Collegiate National title and also became the
first collegiate team to take the team crown at the U.S. Nationals. All of this
success came after an unbeaten regular season and a Western Regional
title.
REGULAR SEASON
Stanford started its 2007 regular season on January 7 with a victory at
Hawaii as the Cardinal swept the duet, elements, team, trio and solo competition. Lowe was a winner for Stanford in all four events for the Cardinal.
Stanford returned to The Farm for its home opener on January 27 and picked
up a victory over third-ranked Incarnate Word. The Cardinal finished first in all
four events, showing early signs of its season domination. Markman, Lowe and
Stewart started the day with a trio win. Lowe and Stewart followed with a duet
victory before Lowe showed off her explosive power in a solo triumph. Stanford
wrapped up the meet with a win in the team competition by giving a performance that earned the Cardinal a standing ovation from the audience.
U.S. COLLEGIATE NATIONALS (APRIL 22-24)
Stanford captured its third straight national collegiate title with a total of
97 team points to comfortably finish ahead of perennial national power Ohio
State’s 84. Stanford was a winner in all four events, taking gold in the duet,
solo, team and trio competitions.
“U.S. Nationals is only three weeks after Collegiates,” remembered
Stanford head coach Heather Olson. “Our team members were
exhausted after Collegiate Nationals, taking their Stanford finals at
the meet and on the airplane there and back. Our athletes did a phenomenal job of ramping back up to prepare for our U.S. Nationals. It
is extremely tough to have our two most important events that close
together.”
Stanford headed to the desert for its next meet February 2-3 against Arizona
and continued with a victory over the Wildcats. Stanford started the two-day
meet by taking the first five spots in the figure competition with Stewart’s victory leading the way. Stewart began the second day of meet with a win in the
element competition as the Cardinal swept the top five spots again. The trio
followed and Stanford was victorious with a threesome of Markman, Lowe and
Stewart. Lowe and Stewart came right back with a duet win before Stanford
excelled once again in the team competition for a clean sweep of the meet’s
events. There was no solo event.
U.S. NATIONALS (APRIL 26-28)
Stanford made history with the first victory ever by a collegiate squad in
the team competition at the U.S. Nationals. Stanford won each of the three
events the club entered, taking the solo, duet and team competition but was
second overall with 35 points as Stanford did not enter as many routines as
the winning club team. Sara Lowe captured the solo competition, while Lowe
and Courtenay Stewart were winners in the duet. Lowe also won the High
Point Award for the meet and was honored as the Athlete of the Year.
“To do what we are able to do at this meet really was an incredible
feat,” stated Olson, who was named both Collegiate and U.S. Coach
of the Year. “It was history in the making.”
The greatest challenge for a collegiate squad entering U.S. Nationals is that
in three weeks a team goes from competing in only free routines (solo, duet,
trio and team) to competing with free and technical routines (solo, duet and
team). This is two routines for each event which is double
the training. However, a collegiate team still only has
twenty hours and three weeks to
make the transition.
“We only have three alternates for team, and no alternates for our
individual events,” explained Olson. “This was a tough weekend for us
because we had two athletes with the flu and one injured.”
Elizabeth-Anne Markman, Lowe and Stewart started the Cardinal off on the
final day of competition with a victory in the trio finals. Lowe and Stewart followed with a duet victory before Lowe captured gold in the solo. The Cardinal
concluded the clean sweep with a narrow victory over Ohio State in the team
competition.
“The team had extraordinary swims in all of the events,” said Olson. “I
couldn’t ask for anything more from our athletes. We came here hoping for a three-peat and our goal was to have the best swims of the
year at this meet. Everything else took care of itself.”
Stanford was also honored with many postseason awards during the competition. Markman was named the Collegiate Athlete of the Year, while Olson
was selected as the Collegiate Coach of the Year. Stewart was an honorary
Collegiate All-American and added the event’s Collegiate High Point Award.
Poppy Carlig, Lowe, Melissa Knight and Markman also all received Collegiate
All-American honors. Academic All-American recognition went to Samantha
Bongiovanni-Duclos, Hilary Homenko, Gayle Lee and Markman.
WESTERN REGIONALS (MARCH 4)
Stanford captured the Western Regionals title, beating both Arizona and
Hawaii. The Cardinal won the event comfortably with 103 points compared to
73.5 for Arizona and the 20 scored by Hawaii. Lowe, Markman and Stewart
started the event with a trio victory demonstrating the strength and precision that would bring them the win at Collegiates. Lowe and Stewart barely
had time to catch their breath before coming back for the duet win.
“Our judges gave us great feedback on their duet,” recalled Olson.
”These two really could compete with the best in the world.”
Not far behind Lowe and Stewart, Markman and Bongiovanni-Duclos had
their best swim of the season putting them in second place. Lowe moved
the crowd with an emotional solo performance to win gold, while Gayle Lee
scored an 87.83 to capture the bronze medal in the solo event. Original
choreography and a synchronized swim allowed the Cardinal to claim gold in
the team event.
The Cardinal traveled further for its next meet, going to the deep South to
face Alabama-Birmingham on February 10. The result was no different as
the Cardinal overpowered fourth-ranked UAB with a 90-61 victory. Markman,
Lowe and Stewart got things going as usual with a trio win before Lowe and
Stewart showcased their flamenco routine to take the duet. Despite the shallow pool, Lowe won the solo event performing only two of the six figures in her
routine. The Cardinal had to modify its team routine as well because of the
lack of pool depth but still overcame UAB’s home advantage to win the team
competition.
Alabama-Birmingham and Wheaton College allowed the Cardinal to start a
home stretch of action by traveling to The Farm for a tri-meet on February
17. The Cardinal once again showed its talent by winning all of the meet’s
events and totaling 102 points compared to 81 for UAB and 72 by Wheaton.
Markman, Lowe and Stewart’s trio win was followed by Lowe and Stewart in
the duet. Lowe then took the solo before Stanford captured the team with a
different look as Poppy Carlig participated for the first time of the season in
the event. In December, Markman had come back to Stanford after competing
with the National Team at the Trophy Cup in Moscow, Russia. However, Carlig
stayed on with National Team through Olympic Trials in December and began
training as a member of the squad until injury forced her to resign from the team.
“This was a very tough decision for both athletes, but our team is so
lucky to have them competing with us this season,” commented Olson.
UAB faced the Cardinal for the third time the following day, but the results
were the same. Competing in only figures and elements, UAB was not able to
gain an edge on the Cardinal. Taylor Durand took the figure competition in her
first figure competition of the season. Durand and Lee went on to place first
and second in “B” figures at Collegiate Nationals.
Stanford completed its regular season with victories over both Arizona and
Hawaii on the eve of postseason action against the same two teams the
Cardinal would face the following day in the Western Regionals. The March 3
victories over the familiar competition were again dominant as the Cardinal
scored 90 points, compared to 39 for Arizona and 10 by Hawaii. The routine
was also the same with Markman, Lowe and Stewart winning the trio, Lowe
and Stewart taking the duet and Lowe capturing the solo, before the meet
concluded with Stanford’s victory in the team competition.
“I would love to see more Pac-10 teams consider our sport for their
athletic programs,” concluded Olson. “We have a very small Western
Regionals currently, but I have hope for the future.”
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
14 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 15
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • HISTORY
2008 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • HISTORY
Synchronized Swimming: A Stanford Tradition
Entering its 28th year of organized competition in 2008, the Stanford
Synchronized Swimming team is one of the university’s most successful
athletic programs. Stanford has won five collegiate national titles, including
each of the last three seasons, among its 26 Top Five finishes.
Stanford Synchro has also made a name for itself internationally and outside
the collegiate arena with five Olympians since the 1996 Games, including
one Olympic gold medalist and one Olympic bronze medalist. Numerous
National Team members have competed collegiately for the Cardinal. Last
year, the team became the first collegiate squad to win all events it entered
at the U.S. National Championships.
Some of the most successful Olympic athletes in history have graduated
from Stanford University. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Stanford
took home a total of 17 medals -- three gold, seven silver and seven bronze.
Stanford Synchronized Swimming is proud to have contributed to the
strength of that tradition, producing more Olympians than any other collegiate synchro program in the nation.
Current head coach Heather Olson, then Heather Pease, helped lead the
U.S. team to gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and also competed with
former assistant coach Bridget Finn at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Erin
Dobratz, class of 2005, swam with current Stanford swimmer Sara Lowe
on the team that took home a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens. Courtenay Stewart, another member of this year’s team, represented Canada in both the duet and team events at the Olympic Games
in Athens. Katie Norris, class of 2004, was a member of the U.S. Olympic
squad and turned down the opportunity to be on the Olympic Team as a
reserve in order to finish school at Stanford
In addition to producing athletes who compete successfully in national and
international competitions, the Cardinal values well-rounded individuals that
excel in life after athletic competition. Stanford synchronized swimmers have
gone on to become emergency room doctors, surgeons, lawyers, and investment bankers, as well as accomplished artists, teachers, coaches and journalists. Recent alumni have gone on to work in key positions at the world’s
most prestigious companies, including Microsoft, Intel and TimeWarner. A
tight-knit community, these alumni have stayed in touch years after their
swimming careers have ended, finding ways to support one another, and the
Stanford Synchro community.
COLLEGIATE ALL-AMERICANS
1996
1997
(SINCE 1996)
1998
1999
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Bridget Finn (Solo, 97.8)
Bridget Finn (Figures, 93.6)
Bridget Finn/Heather Pease/Vanessa Shaw
(Trio, Score Unknown)
Heather Pease (Solo, Score Unknown)
Heather Pease (Figures, Score Unknown)
2001
2002
2005
Heather Pease (Solo, 98.067)
Heather Pease/Vanessa Shaw (Duet, 97.667)
Heather Pease (Figures, 87.643)
Shannon Montague/Heather Pease/Vanessa Shaw (Trio, 97.2)
Vanessa Shaw (Solo, Score Unknown)
Vanessa Shaw/Shannon Montague/Julie Enos/Paige Freiheit/
Kristie Wright/Lindsey Wiggington/Vanessa Shaw (Team,
Score Unknown)
2000
Shannon Montague (Solo, 96.6)
2001
Shannon Montague (Solo, Score Unknown)
2002
Katie Norris (Solo, 98.0)
Katie Norris (Figures, Score Unknown)
2003
Stephanie Joukoff/Jennifer Kibler/Ashley McHugh (Trio, 94.2)
2004
Katie Norris (Solo, Score Unknown)
Katie Norris (Figures, Score Unknown)
Thanks in large part to alumni support, Stanford has become one of the
most competitive synchronized swimming programs in the nation, with a
reputation for creating the highest-quality scholar-athletes who excel both in
the water and in life.
2006
2007
Katie Norris (Solo, 97.3)
Katie Norris (Figures, 82.4)
Samantha Bongiovanni-Duclos/Sara Lowe/
Courtenay Stewart (Trio, 97.0)
Sara Lowe/Courtenay Stewart (Duet, 97.3)
Katie Norris (Figures, 74.022)
Sam Bongiovanni-Duclos/Poppy Carlig/Melissa Knight/Sara
Lowe/Cassidy Ramage/Ashley McHugh/Courtenay
Stewart/Katie Norris (Team, 99.2)
Sara Lowe (Solo, 95.333)
Sara Lowe/Courtenay Stewart (Duet, 95.833)
Sam Bongiovanni-Duclos/Poppy Carlig/Melissa Knight/Sara
Lowe/Hilary Homenko/Elizabeth Anne-Markman/Erin Bell/
Courtney Stewart (Team, 97.167)
Courtenay Stewart (Figures, 82.627)
Taylor Durand (B Figures, 73.639)
Sara Lowe (Solo, 97.833)
Sara Lowe/Courtenay Stewart (Duet, 97.5)
Sara Lowe/Courtenay Stewart/Elizabeth Anne Markman
(Trio, 96.333)
Sam Bongiovanni-Duclos/Poppy Carlig/Melissa Knight/
Debbie Chen/Taylor Durand/Hilary Homenko/
Elizabeth-Anne Markman/Courtenay Stewart (Team, 98.933)
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Catherine Chen, Julie Davies, Bridget Finn, Amy Markezich,
Lesley Riddervold, Vanessa Shaw
Catherine Chen, Julie Enos, Bridget Finn, Heather Pease,
Vanessa Shaw
Julie Enos, Shannon Montague, Heather Pease, Vanessa Shaw
Julie Enos, Paige Freiheit, Shannon Montague, Vanessa Shaw,
Lindsey Wigginton, Kristi Wright
Julie Enos, Paige Freiheit, Stephanie Joukoff, Shannon
Montague, Lindsey Wigginton, Kristi Wright
Erin Dobratz, Stephanie Joukoff, Shannon Montague, Katie
Norris, Lindsey Wigginton
Erin Dobratz, Stephanie Joukoff, Jennifer Kibler, Katie Norris,
Shella Sadovnik, Lindsey Wigginton
Stephanie Joukoff, Jennifer Kibler, Ashley McHugh, Cassidy
Ramage, Shella Sadovnik
Elizabeth-Anne Markman, Ashley McHugh, Katie Norris, Cassidy
Ramage, Shella Sadovnik
Samantha Bongiovanni-Duclos, Poppy Carlig, Sara Lowe, Ashley
McHugh, Katie Rose Norris, Cassidy Ramage, Courtenay Stewart
Erin Bell, Poppy Carlig, Hilary Homenko, Melissa Knight, Sara
Lowe, Elizabeth-Anne Markman
Poppy Carlig, Sara Lowe, Melissa Knight, Elizabeth-Anne Markman
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Julie Enos, Ashley Ensign, Stephanie Joukoff, Kristi Wright
Erin Dobratz, Ashley Ensign, Amanda Graff-Baker, Katie Norris
Blaire Fraser, Amanda Graff-Baker, Shella Sadovnik
Ashley Ensign, Amanda Graff-Baker, Stephanie Joukoff, Courtney
Penn
Ashley McHugh, Courtney Penn
Samantha Borgiovanni-Duclos, Melissa Knight, Sara Lowe,
Elizabeth-Anne Markman
Samantha Borgiovanni-Duclos, Hilary Homenko, Gayle Lee,
Elizabeth-Anne Markman
Samantha Borgiovanni-Duclos, Hilary Homenko, Gayle Lee,
Elizabeth-Anne Markman
OLYMPIANS
1996
2000
2004
Heather Pease (Gold)
Bridget Finn, Heather Olson, Gail Emery (Coach)
Erin Dobratz (Bronze), Sara Lowe (Bronze),
Courtenay Stewart – Canada
STANFORD ATHLETIC BOARD AWARDS
1998
1998
2001
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Megan Fix (Donald Kennedy Award)
Heather Pease (Co-Outstanding Female Junior)
Shannon Montague (Co-Outstanding Female Senior)
Ashley Ensign (Highest GPA Female Senior)
Katie Norris (Co-Outstanding Female Junior)
Katie Norris (Co-Outstanding Female Senior)
Sara Lowe (Co-Outstanding Female Sophomore)
Elizabeth-Anne Markman (Co-Outstanding Female Senior)
OWN IT!
OWN IT!
16 • 2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
2008 STANFORD SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING • 17