Synchro Stars shine at invitational meet

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Members of Jamaica's successful Synchro Stars Synchronised Swimming team, (from left) novice Giselle Tucker, novice Ahkira Brown, Breann Campbell and novice Monique Watson display their medals won at the 2010 St Paul Stars Synchronised Swimming International Invitational meet in St Paul, Minnesota, USA. The event took place last weekend. - Contributed

Jamaica's Synchro Stars Synchronised Swimming team returned home a happy bunch on Sunday, after capturing four gold and a bronze medal at the 2010 St Paul Synchronised Swimming International Invitational meet in Minnesota, United States.

The team, which included 10-year-old Breann Campbell, 14-year-old Giselle Tucker, 10-year-old Monique Watson, and nine-year-old Ahkira Brown, were successful in their respective age groups, while performing solo and duet pieces.

Campbell, a silver medallist from the 2008 Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships, and the only member of the team who had international experience prior to the meet, won gold in the 12 and under routine category, and finished third in the figures section out of a total of 22 competitors.

The team's other solo performer, Tucker, who along with Watson and Brown were competing as novices, won gold in the 13-15 category, before copping the double by claiming the routine event.

Brown and Watson, who competed in the duet section, pocketed gold in both routine and figures in the 11-12 and 9-10 categories, respectively.

"It's a higher level of competition than the Carifta Swimming championships as it relates to numbers, type of judging, and set-up," said team manager, Diahann Campbell.

"When we arrived, we attended a few training sessions with a number of past and present Olympians, and the girls took to the sessions. They then went and gave their best, and the medals won are a true testimony to the effort they put in.

"It was a real eye opener for girls, as they got a chance to see different types of techniques and routines, which is exactly what is required if they are to progress to a higher level," she added.

The quartet will now turn their attention to the Carifta Swimming Championships, which will be held here in April.