2002-03 Preview

February 1, 2003

NORTON, MA- High in demand is the theme for the 2002-03 Wheaton College synchronized swimming team. Since serving as host of the 2002 United States Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Championship last March in which the Lyons equaled their highest finish ever by placing fifth overall, the Blue and White have held a very high profile.

Wheaton caught a glimpse of stardom on December 16 at the Bronx Community College, as the 12-member program partook in a daylong filming of scenes for the movie "Mona Lisa Smile", starring Julia Roberts. In addition to the filming, Wheaton was also busy putting on shows for the grand opening of MIT's new pool facility as well as a function at Cape Cod.

Asked if being in the limelight served as a distraction in preparations for the upcoming season, 11-year head coach Mary Kay Adams had mixed emotions. "At the beginning of the season, our captains we're able to run practices earlier than previous years, which obviously was a preparation advantage for us," said Adams. "However, preparing for the film did serve as a distraction at times."

All this brings us to the start of a season with newfound energy and a renewed focus. "Our progress thus far is currently ahead of where we were last season at this time," stated Adams. "The cohesiveness of the group coupled with our freshman fitting into the system is a real plus for us. Another positive is the fact that we know each other so well."

That goes without saying, as Wheaton not only welcomes back 11 swimmers but four four-year members of the program. Aside from a minor rule change that allows teams to count seven events at every meet, Adams has a great deal of confidence that her team can repeat the successes of a year ago. "Our goals haven't changed," added Adams. "I have a non-traditional line of thinking with the new point system, however I believe the system is advantageous for us. We want to maintain our standing as the top Division III program in the country."

With such a short season, Adams feels a major key to her success with be the team's well being. "The key will be to avoid illnesses and injuries and remain healthy," commented Adams. "We've always managed to find a way to be competitive with injuries, but the obvious goal to stay at full strength through the national meet."

Looking forward to yet another successful run, the Lyons welcome the opportunity to host both the annual Wheaton Invitational on Saturday, February 22 in addition to the East College Regional on Saturday, March 1. At its Invitational, Wheaton welcomes back the return of the 22-time national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. The Lyons also will compete against Stanford, Alabama-Birmingham, Canisius, Richmond, Keuka and the College of William and Mary. Wheaton travels to meets in New York and Virginia, with the national competition being held at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Adams along with second-year assistant coaches Elise Beaumont and Debra Fornasaro are excited about the year ahead. Beaumont, who is a former synchronized swimmer with Great Britain's national team, will be relied on for experience with routines in addition to providing individual attention and workouts with the Wheaton swimmers. Fornasaro assists with the conditioning of the athletes.

The Lyons will be led by senior co-captains Jamie Sallier (St. Louis, MO/Ladue Horton Watkins) and Elizabeth Maga (Dayton, OH/Chaminade-Julienne). Maga and Sallier helped pace Wheaton to an eighth-place mark in the team competition last March. Also returning to the squad is junior Beth Percy (St. Louis, MO/Parkway West), who was two slots away from being selected as Wheaton's first All-American candidate as a sophomore.

Percy picked up a fifth-place finish in the solo final and then teamed with Sallier for eighth in duet. For Percy's performances at the national championship, she was the meet's high scorer among Division III athletes, earning her a spot on the All-Collegiate team for the second consecutive year. Sallier nearly missed the All-Collegiate tag with the fourth-highest point total. Percy and Sallier also advanced to the U.S. National Championships and 2002 U.S National Team Trials at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Maga and Percy will be the lone soloists for the Lyons, with Sallier once again joining Percy for duets. The other duet will pair senior Emily Padow (Richmond, VA/The Steward School) with sophomore Jamie Olken (Brighton, NY/Brighton).

Sallier, Maga and sophomore Blair Feldman (Tucson, AZ/Green Fields Country Day School) will once again assemble as one of three trio routines. Rounding out the trio routines are Padow and Olken with first-year Jocelyn Phillips (Belmont, MA/Belmont) and senior Kerri Moran (Hanson, MA/Whitman-Hanson Regional) with junior Aimee Sears (Norwell, MA/Thayer Academy) and sophomore Luisa Frontino (Ascot, England/TASIS England).

Rounding out the Wheaton squad is junior Liana Cardillo (Bedford, NH/West), who spent a semester abroad in Spain last fall, and sophomore Tricia George (Cranston, RI/Cranston), who is making the transition from Wheaton's swimming and diving program.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 2/21/07.
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News Headlines.

Wheaton runs top-10 streak at Collegiate Championship to 20 years (more)

Two figures wins propel Wheaton to third at ECAC Championship (more)

Lyons place third among seven teams at East Collegiate Regional (more)

Upcoming Schedule

7-Dec Sat New England Figure Meet H TBA
9-Jan Fri Puerto Rico Routines A TBA
12-Jan Mon Puerto Rico Figures A TBA