Press Release courtesy of Ohio State Athletics
The defending National Champion Ohio State Synchronized Swimming team is proud to host its 5th-straight Zero Waste event this weekend. The Buckeyes will open the season with the 2018 OSU Zero Waste Dual Meet at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on Saturday against Michigan.
The technical events will begin at 10 a.m. and will be followed by solo, duet, and trio routines beginning at 2 p.m.
As a university, Ohio State is working towards a goal of achieving zero waste campus-wide by 2025. Being zero waste means diverting at least 90 percent of material from the landfill to either recycling or compost. One of the largest and most successful examples taken by the athletic department was to go zero waste at all home football games in the fall. The synchronized swimming team is proud to be a part of the tradition. Through one team member’s efforts last year, that same process has taken place at every synchronized swimming event inside the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
Fans will notice that McCorkle has six new zero waste bins which are separated into three compartments for recycling, compost and landfill. All food supplied to teams, judges, and fans will be served on compostable materials, so that they can easily be recycled and diverted from landfills. For those attending, signage will be in placed throughout the building directing fans where to recycle their trash. Volunteers will also be on hand at the bins helping fans determine what is or what is not recyclable.
The meet also marks the beginning of the final year for 8 seniors who have each had incredible careers at Ohio State. Be sure to look out for Quinn Connor, Jessica Giannuzzi, Elizabeth Hernandez, Alyssa Hoying, Shea Ramsey, Noelle St. John, Monica Velasquez-Stiak, and Lizzie Welzien.
Also, the future of Buckeye Synchro will make their debuts in the pool as well. Freshmen Katie Farrell, Rachel Jager, Renee Stehlik, Daria Torba, and Sarah Walsh look to make a splash this spring.
All of the Ohio State team will be competing in the technical events during the 10am session, and then after a lunch break the following athletes will be performing their routines for the first time in 2018:
Solo competition
Laila Huric (SO)
Breanna Malone (SO)
Duet competition
Alyssa Hoying (SR) & Monica Velazquez-Stiak (SR)
Rachel Warren (JR) & Shea Ramsey (SR)
Phoebe Coffin (SO) & Lizzie Walsh (JR)
Trio competition
Noelle St. John (SR), Monica Velazquez-Stiak (SR) & Alyssa Hoying (SR)
Jessica Giannuzzi (SR), Quinn Connor (SR) & Lizzie Welzien (SR)
Wenjing Deng (JR), Laila Huric (SO) & Rachel Jager (FR)
The quest to repeat and claim their 31st championship banner will continue as the Buckeyes will also host the Jessica Beck Memorial Meet on Feb. 3, which will be the first time the Buckeyes will compete with their team routines this season.