The Aquabelles Synchronized Swimming Team represented La Mirada on the podium for both the 11-12 and 13-15 age group categories for the Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics. The 2015 United States Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics took place in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 27 through July 4.
The La Mirada Aquabelles had four athletes who qualified for this prestigious meet: Elysse Eaton, Claire Hyon, Abby Kartzinel, and Aivan Nguyen.
Abby Kartzinel, 2015 12 & Under age group USA National Team Member, took home the gold medal for La Mirada in the solo competition. Claire Hyon and Aivan Nguyen placed 5th in the country in the duet competition, and both Hyon and Nguyen made the USA National Team in the 13-15 age group.
The USA National Team will be competing at the UANA Junior Pan American Synchronized Swimming Championships in Calgary, Canada from August 17 through 23.
La Mirada Aquabelles seniors Rachel Warren and Rachel Hyon will continue their competitive synchronized swimming careers at Ohio State University and Stanford University respectively. Ohio State and Stanford are currently home to three Aquabelles alumni.
The La Mirada Aquabelles Synchronized Swimming Team is currently running a Novice Program opened to girls ages 6-11. United States Synchronized Swimming Age Group Development Coach of the Year for 2008 and two time USA Junior World Coach, Hiea-Yoon Kang, has guided the team to their national rankings.
For more information on joining the Aquabelles Synchronized Swimming Team, place contact Coach Hiea-Yook Kang at [email protected]. The Aquabelles practice at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center located at 13806 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, CA 90638.