ETOBICOKE, Ont. – Toronto’s Granite Synchro is in first place after Friday’s preliminaries in the team event in the 13-15 age group at the 2012 Canadian Espoir Championships synchronized swimming competition.

Granite Synchro has 71.452 points with the Calgary Aquabelles in second at 70.819 and Synchro-Elite from Quebec City third at 69.248.  There are 30 teams entered.

‘’Everyone was really pleased with the performance,’’ said Granite Synchro’s team captain Dylan Harding.  ‘’We had a strong warm-up and we were in tune and ready.  There are still a couple of little elements we would like to improve upon for the final.’’

Granite Synchro performed to the music of Carmen.

‘’It’s a very Spanish dance-oriented routine,’’ said Harding.  ‘’We show the story of Carmen through our movements.’’

In the 13-15 solo event, Caroline Marshall of Granite Synchro is in first place after the preliminaries with 72.888 points.  Halle Pratt of the Aquabelles is second at 71.474 and Harding third at 71.397.

"I felt great today,’’ said Marshall.  ‘’I woke up really energized and I had a powerful swim. For the final, I'm looking for the great energy I had in prelims.  It's an exciting week for Granite Synchro. I'm proud of everyone and I'm looking forward to keep this momentum and to keep swimming with pride and passion."

In the 12 and under solo final, Audrey Vallières of Synchro-Élite took the gold at 66.781, Madeleine MacNeil of Durham Synchro was second at 64.000 and Amanda Caromicoli of Mississauga Synchro third at 63.535.

In the 12 and under figures, Emily Armstrong of Toronto’s Variety Village Synchro Club posted the best score at 67.513, Vallieres was second at 67.446 and Amy Parker of Edmonton Aurora Synchro third at 65.846.  

Here are Friday’s winners in the competition for athletes with a disability

Figures - Physical disabilities
Gold – level 3 : Hristina Belevski (Variety Village Synchro Club, Toronto) – 49.500
Gold – level 2 : Jeanine Enns (Olympium Synchro, Etobicoke) – 48.585

Figures – Cognitive disabilities
Gold – level 3 : Nicole Flynn (Variety Village Synchro Club) – 52.248
Silver – level 3 : Ruby Stevens (Variety Village Synchro Club) – 49.500
Gold – level 2 : Katy Orpin (Variety Village Synchro Club) – 45.415
Silver – level 2 : Grace Lowe (Variety Village Synchro Club) – 42.752
Bronze – level 2 : Ambika Dave (Variety Village Synchro Club) – 42.585

About Synchro Canada
Synchro Canada is the national organization governing synchronized swimming in Canada. It represents 10 provincial associations, a territorial association, as well as some 150 clubs and 12,000 members across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing aquatic sports organization, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence by developing the athletes, citizens and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at every level. Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, B2ten, the Centre national multisport-Montréal
Official suppliers: Speedo, Knox Gelatine, AdUp, MKI Travel, National Car Rental
Official make up: MAKE UP FOR EVER
Official hotel: Hilton Hotels Canada
Official Charity Partner: Plan Canada’s Because I am A Girl Program

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

For information:
Patrick Godbout
Synchro Canada
Communications Manager
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Cell.: (514) 213-9897
Website : www.synchro.ca
Facebook: Synchro Canada
Twitter : www.twitter.com/synchrocanada