Posted: 6/9/04

Syncro trio wins state title for second year in a row

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

The trio of Jynelle Gorka, Hannah McKenzie and Alyse Howie of Forest Lake High School won the synchronized swimming team the state title in the trio division of the extended division at the synchronized swimming state meet last week ó for the second year in a row.

ìWe hoped to take first again this year,î Howie said.

What made this yearís state title a little sweeter was the fact that Gorka and McKenzie are seniors and earned All-State honors.

ìWe were hoping to earn All-State, but they really donít tell you how you can get it,î Gorka said, ìso we didnít know what we had to do to get it.î

By the time McKenzie realized her trio team not only won the state title but that she also earned All-State honors she said she couldnít help but cry.

Becoming a state champion didnít come easy though. The whole synchronized swimming team put in many extra hours in the pool and out of the pool working on their different routines and choreographing new ones.

ìI think people donít really know how hard synchronized swimming is,î Howie said. ìWe put so much time in every day, six days a week, three hours a day. Synchronized swimming is life for the three months of the season.î

Some people did take notice of the extra effort the girls were putting in though as they said opposing teams, parents and even officials were wishing them good luck before their routine.

ìAn official who always judges our meets and has seen us grow during the season told us she hoped we won because we worked so hard,î Gorka said.

While those close to synchronized swimming have taken notice of the state title and two All-State selections, not everybody is impressed.

ìSome kids make fun of us and say that synchronized swimming is not a sport,î Gorka said.
Teachers and parents do think synchronized swimming is a sport though and have been congratulating the girls.

ìWe get a lot of congratulations,î McKenzie said, ìbut I have to ask what for because I donít know if itís for graduation or winning state.î

With two of the three girls graduating, there will certainly be a hole to fill next season.

ìItís going to be scary next season,î McKenzie said. ìIím going to try and go into the season with no expectations and concentrate on individual things, but weíve got some younger girls that will step up.î

The two seniors are confident in the younger swimmersí skills as well.

ìI think there are enough girls that once Jynell [Gorka] and I leave I donít think the team will be hurt,î Howie said. ìI think it will encourage the girls to step up.î

Filling the gap of talented swimmers is nothing new to the synchronized swimming team.

ìWe lose an icon every year,î McKenzie said. ìThe younger swimmers look up to them and see what they do in different situations. They are a marker for the years to come and thatís what Alyse [Howie] and Jynelle [Gorka] are.î

Howie added that this seasons coaches were icons to the synchronized swimming team a couple years ago.

Howie will attend Augsburg College in the fall to study architecture while Gorka will attend the University of Minnesota to study pharmacy. Both girls say they will return to cheer their team on.

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