As strains from the sound tracks of The Da Vinci Code and Babel pulsated through the Balfour Natatorium, the synchronized swimming team twirled to its third consecutive NCAA title on March 24.
The innovative choreography that has distinguished the Cardinal’s performance in past years once again drew the judges’ votes. No. 1 Stanford carried the day at the U.S. Collegiate National Synchronized Swimming Championships, held at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, with 97 points, ahead of powerhouse Ohio State, with 84 points.
Returning Olympians Sara Lowe (United States) and Courtenay Stewart (Canada), both ’08, along with 2006 U.S. National Team member Elizabeth Anne Markman, ’07, took the gold in trios. In duet competition, Lowe and Stewart swam a virtually flawless routine. Lowe also went on to win the solo competition, with 97.833 points.
“Our junior class is our core group of athletes, and the first year we won, they were freshmen—we didn’t know what to expect and how they were going to perform under pressure,” says head coach and two-time Olympian Heather Olson, ’99. “Now they really know and understand one another, and they came together very easily and effortlessly this year. It really was a kind of magic team.” Coming from the three-time Collegiate Coach of the Year, it was hearty praise.
“To win a national championship is a remarkable accomplishment,“ athletic director Bob Bowlsby says. “To win three in a row puts our synchronized swimming team in very rare company.”
Coming off an undefeated season of regular dual meets and a second-place Pac-10 tournament finish, the No. 1 women’s swimming team (10-0, 6-0 Pac-10) qualified 16 swimmers and two divers for the NCAA tournament in March, held at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, Minn. After placing fifth for the past three years, the Cardinal earned fourth place at the 2007 meet with 333 points, behind California (372.5), Arizona (477) and first-place Auburn (535).
Senior diver Cassidy Krug placed first in the 1-meter and 3-meter events and was named NCAA Diver of the Year. Coach Rick Schavone was Diving Coach of the Year. Freshman Elaine Breeden won her first NCAA title by setting a record meet time of 1:53.02 in the 200-yard butterfly. “It was hugely exciting,” says Breeden, who’s been swimming since age 5. “I’ve never won at a meet where there was so much support from my team, so many fans and all the Stanford people cheering for me.” Classmate Julia Smit, who’s been clocking laps in the pool since she was 7, finished second in the 200-yard backstroke, with a personal best of 1:53.39. Junior Caroline Bruce took third in the 100-yard breaststroke.
The No. 2 men’s squad won the Pac-10 title this season, for the 26th consecutive year, and sent 15 swimmers and one diver to the NCAAs in Minneapolis. Thanks to key second-place finishes in several races, the team placed second overall with 397 points, behind Auburn (566).
Senior sprinter Ben Wildman-Tobriner placed second in the 100-yard freestyle, setting a school record of 41.90. Senior freestyler Shaun Phillips captured second in the 1,650-yard event, setting a Stanford record of 14:37.62. And senior butterfly and backstroke specialist Hongzhe Sun took second in the 200-yard backstroke with 1:40.78. Sophomore Nate Cass broke the pool record in the 200-yard breaststroke with 1:53.36. The 400-yard relay team took fourth place.
