A message from head coach Holly Vargo-Brown:
RESPECT the past...
DEFEND the present...
PROTECT the future...
When you think of Ohio State Synchronized (Artistic) Swimming, strong feelings come to mind. Whether you, or a loved one, stood connected with teammates in our circle, the pride and passion that coincides with being a Buckeye is something that stays with you for a lifetime!
Our journey through the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons challenged us in ways that we could not have predicted. With the 2020 national championships canceled due to Covid and the 2021 season a mix of in-person and virtual competition, this season reminded us that TOGETHER as BUCKEYES we RISE.
I hope you will share my pride in this year's team and their many successes, both in and out of the pool. By collectively taking a deep breath, they have modeled resiliency like never before and honored our commitment to RESPECT, DEFEND and PROTECT.
To our amazing alums, #33 would not be possible without the tradition of excellence that each of you provided on your journey at Ohio State. Thank you, as always, for paving the way!
How firm thy friendship,
Holly
2022 U.S. Collegiate National Champions
Champions again! The Buckeyes won the program's 33rd national title this season, sweeping every category for the sixth time in team history.
🏆 Solo: Nikki Dzurko
🏆 Duet: Nikki Dzurko + Laila Huric
🏆 Trio: Emily Armstrong, Cassie Neeley + Ruby Remati
🏆 Team: Ohio State Scarlet (Armstrong, Dzurko, Heffernan, Hopper, Huric, Jager, Neeley, Remati)
🏆 A Figures: Emily Armstrong
🏆 B Figures: Olivia Malloy
Postseason Awards and Honors
Following the national championship meet, head coach Holly Vargo-Brown was named the U.S. Artistic Swimming Collegiate Coach of the Year for the seventh time in her career.
Emily Armstrong earned the Individual High Point Award for tallying an impressive 72 points for the Buckeyes.
Overall, seven student-athlete earned USAAS Collegiate All-America honors including Armstrong, Ruby Remati, Nikki Dzurko, Laila Huric, Cassie Neeley, Hannah Heffernan and Paige Hopper.
Back to Business
The Buckeyes finished the regular season undefeated with a schedule that took them around the country.
We welcomed our incredible fans back to McCorkle at the Zero Waste Invitational and Jessica Beck Memorial Competition.
The Gray squad hit the road for the annual Virginia road trip. On top of a great weekend of competition, the team put together another epic music video.
Buckeyes achieve excellence outside of the water
Not only were the Buckeyes champions in their sport, but they dominated in the classroom this year.
The team earned a cumulative GPA of 3.65 following the 2021-22 academic year. This spring, a program-record 10 Buckeyes earned 4.00 GPAs
2022 SASSO Awards
Laila Huric earned the Pierce Phoenix Award and the Fergus Memorial Award and was a finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor.
- The Pierce Phoenix Award is given to a student-athlete who has excelled in academics, athletics and personal growth attained through perseverance and hard work. The award is to be used to attend graduate or professional school at Ohio State.
- Fergus scholars are male or female student-athletes who have excelled in athletics, achieved academically (3.00 GPA minimum), demonstrated positive qualities of character and citizenship and shown potential for success in a graduate or professional program. The $5,000 postgraduate scholarships, which each are renewable for up to three years, can be utilized for graduate study or professional programs at Ohio State.
Overall, 20 student-athletes were named Ohio State Scholar-Athletes for the 2021-22 academic year for maintaining cumulative GPAs of 3.00 or above.
Calling Ohio State Synchro alum!
We want to highlight the amazing things that you have gone on to do following your Buckeye career! If you are interested in being featured in our Where Are They Now series, fill out the form below!
Support current and future Buckeyes
Our program would not be where it is today without the generous support of our incredible donors. Please consider giving to support both current and future Buckeyes pursue excellence in their athletic and academic careers.
Synchronized Swimming Program Support Fund
Funds will be used to support the activities of the synchronized swimming program including, but not limited to travel expenses and purchases of & equipment supplies.
Michael Szymanski and Beth M. Spatz Synchronized Swimming Fund
Supplements the grant-in-aid costs of student-athletes who are members of the Ohio State Synchronized Swimming team.
The Barbara Eng and Anna Eng Synchronized Swimming Athletic Scholarship Fund
Established September 2, 2016, with a gift from Barbara Eng (BS 1969, MS 1971) Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; used to supplement the grant-in-aid costs of an undergraduate student-athlete who is a member of the synchronized swimming team.