- Debbie Chen, Cerritos, CA/Stanford University
- Mary Killman, McKinney, TX/Santa Clara
- Meghan Kinney, Mission Viejo, CA/The Ohio State University
- Maria Koroleva, Concord, CA/Stanford University
- Olivia Morgan, Lafayette, CA/Stanford University
- Jillian Penner, Seattle, WA/The Ohio State University
- Leah Pinette, Bristol, CT/Santa Clara
- Hannah Shively, Westerville, OH/The Ohio State University
- Layla Smith, Boulder, CO/Santa Clara
- Michelle Theriault, North Hills, CA/The Ohio State University
- Lyssa Wallace, San Antonio, TX/University of the Incarnate Word
- Alison Williams, Northridge, CA/Santa Clara
- Linda Witter, Head Coach
- Jennifer Ekhilevsky, Assistant Coach
- Karen Josephson, Technical Consultant
- Denise Shively, Manager
Synchronized Swimming World Championships: 18-25 July
- Schedule: Synchronized Swimming 2009 World Championships
- Team Roster: USA Synchronized Swimming 2009 World Championships
- Results: Synchronized Swimming 2009 World Championships
- About Swimming: Synchronized Swimming World Championships Central
- Results from Omega Timing
- Swimming World Championships Central
- 2009 Swimming World Championships On-line Video and TV Schedule
With an average age of 20.4 years and a mere 11.6 average years of experience in the sport, Team USA brings a youthful outlook to the 2009 FINA World Championships. Last year, the U.S. grabbed a fifth place finish in the team event at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This year, two athlete return to the U.S. National ranks including Jillian Penner and 2008 replacement athlete, Meghan Kinney.
Kinney spent most of the last two seasons as the alternate, but stepped up this year after being appointed Team Co-Captain. Joining her in this role is Layla Smith. Smith was a member of the 2007 National Team which represented the U.S. at the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
At the 2007 FINA World Championships, Team USA brought home a Bronze Medal in the free combination routine. However, the U.S. will not enter the free combo event so that the Olympic events (duet and team) can remain the focus after a short seven weeks of training together.
Prior to 2007, each discipline produced only one medal at the FINA World Championships. Medals are now awarded in both the technical and free portions of each discipline. In the duet, the U.S. will participate in the tech duet only. Veterans Kinney and Penner will pair up for the first time to debut their duet routine on the World stage.
Overall, this year will prove to be a rebuilding year for Team USA. A key to future success will be gaining experience on the international scene. To return to the podium, the U.S. must also focus on retaining athletes throughout the entire quadrennium. "Our younger athletes bring eagerness and enthusiasm," according to Head Coach Linda Lichter-Witter. "However, returning swimmers bring leadership and maturity." (Courtesy USA Synchro)