Closures and Cancellations:
Written by Rachel Lall May 5, 2022
Gryphons Artistic Swimming Club held their first in-person performance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday March 24th. For both returning and rookie swimmers, performing in front of a crowd was a highly anticipated part of their year and something that they had not been able to do for over two years.
Family and friends watched the Club’s performances from the Gold Pool gallery as each team and extra routine swam. The MC’s, photographer, and ticket sales volunteers ensured the night ran smoothly. Coaches Katherine Frost, Emily Vance, and Selina Lall were all in attendance and supported the teams with assuring energy just as they did throughout the season.
After the final performance, the Executive team gave thanks to the coaches, graduating seniors, and teammates. This event as well as the coordination of the whole season required the work of many leaders, each contributing to making this year-end event happen.
The Club was also filming their submissions for the Canadian University Artistic Swimming League’s Nationals Competition at this event. The cheers from the crowd and enthusiastic response put on by the swimmers shined through in their video submissions.
The performances were streamed on April 2nd and the judges’ results followed shortly after. In the Novice Team category, Team Red (Adina Borenstein, Leah Clement, Sydney Enns, Jasmine May, Bridget Marsland, Rachel Lall, coached E. Vance) placed on the podium in 3rd with their Toxic/Maneater mashup themed routine a score of 55.2867, only 0.3333 points behind the first place routine. In the same category, Team Gold (Allison Bryant, Sydney Dam, Maranda McCarthy-Lautenslager, Abigail Tetlow, Jaqueline Tingle, coached S. Lall), which was composed completely of swimmers new to the sport this season, were not far behind with their Mamma Mia theme routine and achieved a 7th place with their routine.
The experienced teams also had a great show of skill, with the Expert Team Red (Adele Arpino, Beth Bagi, Mari Burigana, Maia Dekort, Teghyn Gurney, Allison Major, Grace Ohrling, Makenna Williams) placing on the podium with a 3rd place. Their Cirque du Soleil theme routine was a fan favourite, achieving a Gryphons high score of 73.3000 in the category. The Gold Team (Cassidy Ball, Shauna Dworatzek, Mia Iamarino, Jamie McBride, Keera McNalty, Indigo Walker, Rand Zhang) swam an alluring Sirens theme routine which secured an amazing 11th place for the Club.
The extra routines also had a great showing, with Novice Soloist Jasmine May wowing with their routine to the Avengers soundtrack. Novice Duets of Enns & Lall medaled at 2nd place, swimming to Sway With Me, and Borenstein & Tingle achieved a ribbon finish in 4th place swimming to Pirates. Over in Expert Solo, Allison Major broke 70 points, scoring an astounding 70.9667points, and swam her Roses are Red theme routine to 8th place. Expert Duet Ohrling & Williams grabbed a silver medal with their Flamenco themed routine coming in second place with 73.7667 points, and are continuing their season at the upcoming Canadian Championships in Quebec this May.
To keep up with the Gryphons Artistic Swimming Club, find us on Instagram @gryphonsartisticswim and on the Fit and Rec website.