HOME OF 2010 U. S. AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS

The Town of Tonawanda Aquettes is an elite competitive synchronized swimming team made up of girls ages 7-19. The team travels throughout the country representing the community in local, state, regional, and national competitions. They also qualify and attend several National Network training camps held at the US Olympic Training Centers.

The Team has produces several U.S. National Team members who have competed at U.S. Team Trials, Olympic Team Trials and internationally for the United States. Several Aquettes have also gone on to compete in College receiving athletic scholarships.

This year is exceptionally exciting for the Aquettes as they will host the 2010 esychro National Age Group Competition at the Town of Tonawanda Aquatic and Fitness Center at the end of June and Beginning of July.. This is the largest Synchro meet in the world with an anticipated 1200 athletes converging on the Town for the week.

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Western synchronized swimming wins 32nd straight gold

The Western Region's synchronized swimming team wore black bands on its swimsuits with "Lou" printed on them during these Empire State Games, but not everyone on the team knew what it meant.

"The younger girls didn't know what he did -- it's nice because we got to tell them his story, so they could pass it on," said Western's Laurie Wakelam. "We wore 'Lou' on our suits this whole week, and it was nice to keep that tradition going for him, to swim for 'Lou.'‚"

The tradition was that of Lou Reuter, the 11-year Western Region director who died of cancer last August. Reuter's first exposure to the Games was having his daughters compete in synchronized swimming in the early 1980s, and this year's team maintained a Western winning tradition that has been indomitable since those early days of the state's Olympic-style event.

Western won its 32nd team gold on the final day of the 32nd Empire State Games after wowing a standing-room-only crowd at Buffalo State.

The continuation of the streak capped off another superior Games for Western in which it won 12 medals to again help the region to a victory in the overall medal count for the 29th time in 32 Games. Its two trio teams finished one-two, its three duet teams swept that event and it also swept the medals in the solo and figures competitions.

"They were fantastic," said coach Jill Wright of Tonawanda, the third-year coach at Canisius. "We had some veterans come back this year and lead our young team and they did a great job. It was such an honor to be able to remember Lou and represent him in a special way. We wanted him to still be a part of our Games and our tradition in synchro, where he started in the Games."

The team consisted of Canisius College standouts Jessica Grogan (Orchard Park), Nicole Cardinale (Williamsville), Courtney Christman (Tonawanda) and Wakelam, a Tonawanda native who won three golds (duet, trio, team) and the sport's Dorothy J. Sowers Award for outstanding achievement at the Games. Younger teammates were Tonawanda Aquettes Alexis Clune (Buffalo), Anita Alvarez (Kenmore) and Cassandra Migliore (Kenmore) and the Buffalo Swimkins' Sara Bauer (Williamsville).

Grogan also won three golds (singles, trio, team) while Cardinale (duet, team), Christman (trio, team) and Alvarez (figures, team) each won two.

Western won the gold with a 156.807 score which was based on its 88.833 in Sunday's team performance combined with its Games-best figures score of 67.974. Adirondack took silver (83.667 added to a 64.342 figures score for 148.009) while Hudson Valley (81.5, 63.282; 144.782) won bronze.

A highlight of the routine was a lift in which Alvarez, who just completed seventh grade at Hoover Middle, was completely out of the water, posing as she was supported by her seven teammates.

"Anita lays on the surface of the water, and everyone has a spot that they lift," said Wright. "They press up with their arms and their shoulders, and they eggbeater Ñ which is what we call treading water Ñ underneath her."

Western's routine was clearly more polished and difficult than the other regions, with team members spending up to 20 or 30 seconds underwater while all that was visible to fans were legs scissor-kicking or spinning as they submerged. Wakelam said coming up for air is nice, but there's nothing like hearing the crowd's reaction.

"The thing that I love about Empires is that it is the best athletes in the state," Wakelam said. "The worst thing about being a synchronized swimmer is when you [tell someone], and they're like, 'ha.' They always just laugh. In the Games you have all the athletes, and you make friends, and you tell them to come. And they're like, 'whoa.' It's nice to have the top athletes in the state come and realize we're here, too, and this is a sport. I think that is the best thing for synchro."

When Western received its gold medals, the woman hoisting them around each swimmer's neck was Judy Reuter, Lou's widow. She had also helped kick off the Games last Wednesday evening at UB Stadium by helping lead the Western contingent into the opening ceremonies, just as Lou did for more than a decade.

"It's very special [to be here]," said Judy. "Synchro has a special place in my heart, and I know it did in Lou's. We had our two synchro swimmers [daughters Gretchen and Sue], but we made many many friends over the years and volunteered. We always enjoyed watching these young ladies swim because people do not realize how difficult this sport is. It's a beautiful sport and it's a difficult sport.

"[The games have been] emotional at times, but a happy emotional, really. Lou always had a saying, 'I extend to you the pleasantries of the day,' .‚.‚. or 'the evening.' But I think up there, he has extended the pleasantries of the whole Games to everybody."

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The Town of Tonawanda Aquettes are currently accepting members from all areas throughout Western New York.

Synchro swimming is an excellent lifetime activity for health and well being, but it goes much further than that. Swimmers learn the importance of goal setting and achievement, perseverance and determination, dedication and commitment. They learn courage, self-discipline, self-control and time management and with interpersonal relationship skills.

Swimmers also learn how to win and lose with class and grace, and what it takes to be the best. Being a part of a team teaches athletes cooperation with others. Synchro swimmers take these valuable skills into the real world, using these skills in school, work and life – all while having fun.

Girls between the ages of 7 and 11 who love to swim are encouraged to tryout.

Simply fill out the easy form we will contact you right away>>>