The Lindenwood synchronized swimming team won its first High Point title in program history at the U.S. Senior National Championships April 1 through April 4 in Moraga, Calif.  The Lady Lions earned four gold medals, four silver, and two bronze at the event, finishing with 80 points overall to easily outdistance perennial power, the Santa Clara Aquamaids with 52.  Mary Killman won her third straight crown in both solo and duet, and junior Daniela Garmendia won the Individual High Point title.

What makes the U.S. National Championships a challenge for collegiate programs is the vastly different format for the meet.  Teams must write and train technical routines, something not done for collegiate events, so it was the first time that Lindenwood did so all season.

Senior Dennise Ramirez talked about the challenge.

"It's such a huge difference to focus on elements all season, then flip a switch, fly across the country, and three days later have to compete our tech routines for the first time all season," she said.  "The team handled the pressure like champions, maintained poise and exceptionally high standards, competed with spirit, had fun, and demonstrated that we're on the leading edge in the sport in the U.S. right now."

Killman and freshman Vasilisa Mironova battled Lady Lion sophomores Irene Montrucchio and Laia Pons for the duet title.  Killman and Mironova built almost a five point lead, earning a score of 85.1599 in the technical event on Thursday, then added a score of 86.8333 with their vampire themed free routine to win the gold medal with a total of 169.9932.  Montrucchio and Pons finished second with 160.8748 to win the silver medal.  Garmendia and Sarah Rodriguez took fourth, with Hannah Sphatt and Kirsten Hutzler taking fifth.

Killman opened up a dominating four point lead with her sultry interpretation of "Sexy Silk" from Jessie J. during the technical solo event on Friday, earning 84.6584.  She performed her "Young and Beautiful" free solo on Saturday to earn 87.4000, the highest mark of the entire meet.  Her total of 172.0584 was almost seven points ahead of Rebecca Moody from Santa Clara in second place.  Allyson Haylor took third while Garmendia finished fourth.

The Lady Lions faced their stiffest competition in the team event, going head-to-head with the U.S. National Team.  Team USA won with a score of 168.5430, but Lindenwood took home the silver with a total of 162.7989.

In addition to individual event medals, U.S. Nationals also employs individual and team high point scoring, where routines earn points for placement, much like a track meet.  While the Lady Lions finished first in the overall team standings, Garmendia became the surprise winner in the individual standings.  She took fourth in solo, fourth in duet, and with the first place overall finish by Lindenwood, she earned 35 points to win the Individual High Point title.  Killman was second with 29 points, and Haylor tied for third with 26.

The national team title capped a busy two weeks for the Lady Lions, who won four of five events at the U.S. Collegiate Championships, concluded March 28 in Columbus, Ohio.  Head coach Lori Eaton praised her team for the effort.

"I'm very proud of the way our team pulled together these past two weeks, coming away with outstanding results while competing in the nation's two biggest events back-to-back," she said.  "We made Nationals our goal at the start of the season and I think we can be proud of the mark we left on the sport with our performances here."

The solo event win for Killman was her fourth overall, which moved her into a tie for third all-time in USA Synchro history.  In addition to the current streak of three straight titles, she also claimed victory in 2010.

More than 350 swimmers, including members of the 2015 U.S. National Squad, participated at the U.S. National Championships.  Swimmers advanced to the event through various qualifying measures, including top placements at zone championships, past national championships, and other qualifying scores.  Medals were awarded for both the technical routine and the free aggregate final, a combination of the technical and free routines.

The meet concluded the season for Lindenwood and marked the final swim for senior Dennise Ramirez as a Lady Lion.

U.S. Senior National Championships

April 1-4, Moraga, Calif.
Top 3 & Lindenwood finishers
Solo
1. Lindenwood University, Mary Killman, 172.0584
2. Santa Clara, Rebecca Moody, 165.2198
3. Lindenwood University, Allyson Haylor, 159.3149
4. Lindenwood University, Daniela Garmendia, 158.0970
 
Duet
1. Lindenwood University, Mary Killman/Vasilisa Mironova, 169.9932
2. Lindenwood University, Irene Montrucchio/Laia Pons, 160.8748
3. Santa Clara, Amanda Urke/Teresa Liccardo, 157.5382
4. Lindenwood University, Daniela Garmendia/Sarah Rodriguez/Dennise Ramirez, 156.9981
5. Lindenwood University, Hannah Sphatt/Kirsten Hutzler/McKinzie Chelberg, 151.2393
 
Team
1. Team USA (Anita Alvarez, Claire Barton, Mariya Koroleva, Alison Williams, Phoebe Coffin, I.abel Malcolmson, Sarah Rodriguez, Karensa Tjoa), 168.5430
2. Lindenwood University (Daniela Garmendia, Allyson Haylor, Vasilisa Mironova, Irene Montrucchio, Laia Pons, Dennise Ramirez, Sarah Rodriguez, McKinzie Chelberg), 162.7989
3. Santa Clara (Amanda Urke, Emily Anger, Danielle Emma, Rachal Lau, Karen Li, Jacklyn Luu, Alexandra Meredith le Roux, Natalia Vega), 155.9442
4. Lindenwood University (Hannah Sphatt, Carol Alonso, Emily Emmanuele, Kelli Gustafsson, Kirsten Hutzler, Liza Leusenko, Samara Pattiasina, Carol Ross, Erika Guilbault), 154.3947
 
Complete U.S. National Championship Results