Lyons finish as runner up during four-team Canisius Invitational

BUFFALO, NY- The Wheaton College synchronized swimming team placed second among four squads on Saturday at the Canisius College Invitational in the Koessler Athletic Center, as the Lyons totaled 68 points to edge out Missouri-based Lindenwood University's 66 points. Wheaton has now been one of the top two teams at all four of its meets this winter. The host Golden Griffins, who are a perennial regional power, won with 91 points.

Wheaton put a pair of trios in the top three, with senior Jenna Swinkin (Hamden, CT/Hamden), sophomore Christiana Butera (San Diego, CA/Academy of Our Lady of Peace) and freshman Kirsten Wendth (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa) taking second with 81.667 points. The Lyons' trio of senior Laura Montes (San Juan, PR/Academia San Jose), sophomore Amanda Chils (Lakeland, FL/George Jenkins) and freshman Christine Dyster (Tempe, AZ/Corona del Sol) was third with 78.167 points.

Butera and freshman Rebecca Gordon (North Haven, CT/North Haven) combined for 79.167 points during a third-place duet finish, while Chils and Wendth scored 77.667 in taking fifth, coming within 0.333 points of putting two Lyon pairs in the top four.

Wheaton's team routine produced 84.000 points, placing third while falling 2.75 points shy of second. Butera, Chils, Dyster, Gordon, Montes, Swinkin, Wendth and sophomore Anastasia Hare (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Seminary) performed during the event, as Canisius took the top two spots.

Montes was fifth for the Lyons in the solo competition, totaling 81.500 points to come within two points of the fourth-place performer from Lindenwood.

Wheaton breaks for two weeks, returning to action on February 20-21 during the combined East Collegiate Regional and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship at the University of Pennsylvania.