The synchronized swimming team not only continued its tradition of staying on top in Sections, but improved by placing at State for the first time in five years.

The team of 29 swimmers performed at the State competition at 8 a.m. May 23 and May 24 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Park placed in the top three at State for the first time since 2008. Coach Jessica Gust said she was impressed with her team, including senior captains Grace Steffenhagen, Maria Knudsen and Beatrice Lenss, for their hard work.

“We made many changes to the synchro program at Park since our third place finish five years ago,” Gust said. “Some seniors this year were seventh graders on the team in 2008, so it was amazing to see how much they have been willing to change and work in order to make it back and place at State.”

Juniors Rose Evensen and Hannah McDonell received All-State awards, meaning that they are among the top eight swimmers in all of Minnesota. Evensen, in her second year as an All-State swimmer, said it came down to the new routines.

“Hannah and I worked super hard this year to choreograph a duet that was much more different than last year,” Evensen said. “This was our eighth duet together, so we have really had a lot of experience as swimmers.”

During the season, members of the team had conditioning practices in the morning, and skilled practice routines after school. Gust said the team chose this schedule so it would be more focused in the afternoon sessions.

The team also competed at the Sections meet against Edina, Bloomington and Osseo-Maple Grove May 16 and May 18. The team won overall for the 18th straight year by a margin of 39 points, placing first in many events.

Over the course of the regular season with a 8-2 record, synchro member junior Jenna Frank said she was proud of the team, and said she thought everyone did especially well.