Butera advances to finals in two routines at U.S. Collegiate nationals

PALO ALTO, CA- Sophomore Christiana Butera (San Diego, CA/Academy of Our Lady of Peace) gave the Wheaton College synchronized swimming team an early lift during the opening day of the 34th annual U.S. Collegiate Championship meet on Thursday, as she advanced to a pair of routine finals at Stanford University's Avery Aquatic Center.

Butera placed 10th during the solo routine semifinal with 77.000 points before teaming up with senior co-captain Jenna Swinkin (Hamden, CT/Hamden) and freshman Kirsten Wendth (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa) for an 11th-place mark in trio with 78.125 points.

Also making the finals was senior co-captain Laura Montes (San Juan, PR/Academia San Jose), who came in ninth during solo with 79.000 points.  The finals for solo and trio will take place on Saturday.

More than 200 of the top athletes from the collegiate scene are vying for titles in the solo, duet, trio and team events.  The championship is an open-class meet, combining competition from NCAA Divisions I, II and III and NAIA colleges and universities.

The three-day meet continues tomorrow with figures and the team competition.  Figures consist of four categories, beginning with D at 8:00 a.m.  The team semifinal starts at 4:00 p.m.