Local Synchronized Swimmers Compete In Championships

The North Shore Selkies is a team of synchronized swimmers who live in various local towns, including Lynnfield. At least three Lynnfield residents have been members of the team over the past couple of years.

Thanks to Heather Sievers for the following account of the team's recent championship meet:

The North Shore YMCA Selkies synchronized swim team performed well, capturing the high point trophy for its region at the New England Synchronized Swimming Association (NESSA) Junior/Senior Championships hosted by the team on Saturday, January 19th.

Six teams comprised of 100 athletes from across Massachusetts and New Hampshire participated in the all day event, held at the North Shore YMCA Sterling Center in Beverly.  Representing the YMCA of the North Shore were Selkies Senior Team members Madeleine Hines of Wenham, Meghan Huston of Topsfield, Jenny Page of Ipswich and Hope Weaver of Rockport.  (Team Captain Alyson Arsenault of Methuen was unable to attend last weekend’s event.)  Selkies Junior Team Members competing were Annalise Errico of Beverly, Melissa Freed of Danvers, and Rebecca Sievers of Lynnfield.  (Victoria Carlson of Wenham was unable to compete due to injury.) 

The Selkies’ efforts were led by the Senior Team, whose performance captured first place in NESSA’s  Southern Division.  Of duets competing at the Senior Level, Madeleine Hines and Meghan Huston placed first in the Southern Region and Annalise Errico and Rebecca Sievers placed third.  In the solo category, Meghan Huston won first place, Madeleine Hines won second, Hope Weaver received the third place award and Melissa Freed took fifth place for NESSA South.  The Junior Team, competing in this meet as a trio due to an injury-related absence, received third place in the Southern Division. 

Selkies Coach Carrie Reynolds praised her athletes’ efforts and felt that all routines had contributed outstanding performances.  All Senior team small group routines have qualified to compete at the Junior Zones Competition near Philadelphia, PA in early February, along with the Junior Team, which by then will be back to full force, competing in the team category.