Published in the April 6, 2016 edition
LHS SENIOR Becca Sievers (left) and her partner Melissa Freed qualified to compete in the senior duet division at the 2016 U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships in Mesa, Arizona. (Courtesy Photo)
NATIONALLY RANKED. The North Shore YMCA Selkies junior team qualified to compete in the 2016 U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships. Lynnfield’s Becca Sievers (back row, far right) is a member of the team along with (clockwise from Sievers): Annaliese Moore, Olivia Malloy, Melissa Freed, Sofia Puchniak and Victoria Carlson. (Courtesy Photo)
BEVERLY — The North Shore YMCA Selkies junior team, senior duet and senior solo synchronized swimmers qualified for the 2016 United States National Championships in Mesa, Ariz.
U.S. Nationals is the highest level meet in the sport in the nation and includes top collegiate and Olympic-level athletes. It marks the first time in the history of the YMCA Selkies synchronized swimming program that its athletes have achieved this level of accomplishment.
Lynnfield resident Becca Sievers, 17, the daughter of John and Heather Sievers and a senior at LHS, qualified to compete at Nationals in the senior duet with partner Melissa Freed, 18, of Danvers. Sievers and Freed also qualified to compete as members of the Selkies’ junior team.
To qualify for nationals, the synchronized swimmers had to place in the top at the zone level during a competition held at Buffalo State College March 11-13. They competed against over 150 top athletes, including 18 of the top clubs from all over the Northeast.
The athletes also had to pass a series of Long Term Athlete Development testing in order to be eligible to compete. This development testing was implemented by the USA Synchro high performance director for the first time this season.
The record-breaking team also includes: Victoria Carlson, 15, of Wenham, who is the senior solo gold medalist and a junior team member; and junior team members Olivia Malloy, 14, of Wenham, Anna Moore, 13, of Georgetown and Sofia Puchniak, 14, of Manchester.
Carrie Reynolds is head coach of the Selkies. The competition is taking place this week in Mesa, Ariz. The Selkies opted not to compete in the junior team or senior duet events at nationals; however, Sievers, Freed and Carlson will compete at Nationals in a third event known as the “combo routine” in which they will perform a routine with synchronized swimmers from several other YMCA teams from their region. Carlson will also compete in the senior solo event at Nationals.
Those who would like to see the nationally-ranked routines of the Selkies live are invited to attend the Selkies’ annual Water Show on Sunday, May 1 at 4 p.m. at the Sterling YMCA in Beverly.
About the YMCA
The YMCA is one of the nation’s leading non-profits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For over 150 years, the YMCA of the North Shore has been strengthening the foundations of the community for the more than 50,000 members and program participants it serves in 25 cities and towns. The Y nurtures the potential of children and teens, improves the nation’s health and well-being and provides opportunities for members to give back and support their neighbors regardless of age, race, ethnicity or socio-economic background. For more information, please visit: www.northshoreymca.org.
