Four months of intense preparation for a few minutes in the water. That preparation paid off when the synchro team placed third in the state competition.

Seniors Jenna Frank, Hannah McDonell, and Claire Steffenhagen are captains of the team. Frank and McDonell said they were joyful over the win and prideful for their team.

“All of the girls performed exactly how they had prepared to,” McDonell said. “All of their hard work paid off and it showed in their routines and figures.”

Frank said she thinks the girls worked harder this year to earn back their victory.

“We definitely wanted to keep our third place title and everyone worked really hard over the season,” Frank said.

Coach Jessica Gust said she was impressed at the amount of places her team earned in this year’s state competition.

“This is the first year in a long time that two extended routines have placed in state,” Gust said.

Both captains believe some of the team’s success come from the support the swimmers give to each other.

McDonnell said the girls spend time mentally preparing for their routines.

“During the time we are not cheering and watching the other Park routines perform we will visualize and deck,” McDonell said. Decking is using arms to imitate movements of legs and arms in the water to the counts of music.

Gust said she thinks the team’s success is because of the swimmers’ dedication.

“The reason we did so well is because the girls do exactly what they’re supposed to do,” Gust said. “If they continue to do what they need to do, that’s exactly what we need for next year’s team.”