RAQ 2009

YEARBOOK

~The Riverside Aquettes 2008 - 2009 Yearbook~

Celebrating Fifty One years of

Synchronized Swimming in

Riverside, California

*

Head Coach

Sue Baross Nesbitt

*

RAQ Coaches

Shannon Kelly Jones

Tuesday Middaugh Slomovitz

Jaime Moon Hasler

Tiffany Strickland

Kelli Bonzoumet Wasserman

Cheryl Abrahams Russell

Linda Edwards Webb

Brittney Miller

Ashley Coe

*

Swimmers

10 & U Baby Elephant Walk Team * 1st Place AG Regionals

Caitlin Eno, Merce Gerdes,

LylaClare Kosobucki, Cameron Lucky

11-12 Lion King Team * 4th Place, AG Regionals

Caroline Csiszer, Briana Milligan,

Katie Gillette, Maya Kotomori, Cherish Kretz

Danielle Rutledge, Courtney Vincent,

Lily Whitehouse

11-12 Oklahoma Team * AG National Silver Medalists

Shelby Call, Emily Carter,

Lauren Charbonneau, Hannah Connet,

Allison Milligan, Catalina Nedulcu,

Amber Rivas, Maddie Webb

Junior Gladiator Team * 5th Place, US Junior Nationals

Arlette Carrion, Finja Becker

Carolina Davidson, Cynthia Ni,

Katherine Ni, Courtney Nicholson

Lauren Nicholson, Paige Ramsey, Cindy Serrano

AG Gladiator Team * AG national Silver Medalists

Arlette Carrion, Carolina Davidson

Elizabeth Davidson, Lauren Olson, Shea Ramsey,

Cynthia Ni, Katherine Ni

The Mission of the Riverside AQuettes

is to produce high-caliber, successful, and goal-oriented young people through

a synchronized swimming curriculum which emphasizes the development of

technical, physical and mental ability, the integration of creative movement to music, and

cooperative functioning as a team member

Come join the fun! www.raqsynchro.org

FRIENDS,

FUN,

AND

ACHIEVING

OUR

GOALS

SWIMMING UPSTREAM WITH DAUGHTERS You do not really need to see the “Head Coach” logo on Sue Nesbitt’s sweats to know that she is the person in charge. She carries herself with the graceful confidence of someone accustomed to achieving success and helping others achieve success, in the swimming pool or in life, as coach and as a mom. Under her leadership, the Riverside AQuettes won the team, solo, and duet championships at the 2006 U.S. Synchronized Swimming Junior Nationals.

As a mom, she has just seen her two daughters, Stephanie, 21, and Barbra, 19, both former members of the AQuettes, off on their next adventures in life. Barbara is starting her career as a student and swimmer at Ohio State University and Stephanie is joining the cast of the “La Reve” water show at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Nesbitt, a Riverside native and resident, started her own swimming career with the AQuettes swimming with the club from age 10 through high school. She spent her college career as a member of the championship synchronized swimming team at San Jose State University. As an athlete, coach, and mother, she is uniquely situated to understand the joys and difficulties of all three roles.

Both her daughters joined the AQuettes when they turned 9. “I was happy that they wanted to participate in synchronized swimming,” Nesbitt says, “because I would spend so much time with them, but it has been difficult. What I tried to do very early on is make sure that home was the place where I was their mother and at the pool I was their coach.”

That dual role really came home for Nesbitt when then 16-year-old Stephanie moved to Santa Clara for 18 months to train with the U.S. Olympic Team in synchronized swimming. Stephanie found the coaching style quite a bit different from Sue’s and her phone calls from home betrayed her upset feelings. “I had to, on the one hand, try to console her and make her feel better,” Nesbitt says, “and on the other hand, not make judgments on how the other coach was coaching my daughter.”

Stephanie, by the way, went on to win a bronze medal in synchronized swimming at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. It looks like mom’s advice and guidance were pretty good. “They guided the process,” Nesbitt says of her daughters’ swimming. “I just wanted them to be happy.”

By Michael J. Medley

REPRINTED from the Inland Empire Family Magazine

Maddie,

Girls,

Compete with determination and

Embrace life with passion

Because the world belongs to those who dare!

Good luck at nationals!

GCM REALITY

RAQ COACHES FOR 2009

Sue Barross Nesbitt RAQ Head Coach since 1991. As a swimmer, Sue earned eighteen national titles and fourteen international titles. As a coach, she has secured two Over-all Junior National Team Titles and has led her athletes to over six individual titles, and has been recognized as Coach of the Year three separate times. She is a part of USA’s National Coaches pool and has held every coaching position available.

Tuesday Middaugh Slomovitz As a swimmer, she attained a position on the 200 USA Olympic Team swimming in both the team and duet events. She is a National and International champion in both the duet and team events. As a coach, she is a tremendous choreographer who is often seen in the pool creating innovative routines.

Shannon Kelly Jones As a swimmer, she competed for RAQ at the National level. As a coach, she has been tremendously successful in developing the skills of young athletes at RAQ. We are very happy to have Shannon back coaching with us.

Jaime Moon Hasler As a swimmer, she competed for RAQ and placed third in the 11/12 team at the National Age Group level. As a coach, she is a task master who brings her water polo background into her training plans. Jaime has been a huge asset to the club this past year coaching our 11-12 Lion King team.

Tiffany Strickland A recent addition to RAQ, Tiffany has strong skills in both swimming and water polo and has been a valuable addition to RAQ this year in teaching our youngest athletes swimming skills and basic synchro. Tiffany attended Cal Baptist this past year and we are so happy to have her.

Kelli Bonzoumet Wasserman As a swimmer, Kelli swam for RAQ and was a member of the USA National Team. As a coach for RAQ, she choreographs routines and works with the athletes on a part-time basis. In 2005, her “Spanish” team placed higher than any preceding Jr. B Team from Riverside. The “Spanish” Team placed 4

th in finals at the Jr. National Championships and her junior swimmers were

among those that helped earn the Riverside AQuettes the 2005 Overall Speedo Junior Championship Title.

Cheryl Abrahams Russell Assists with RAQ in addition to her work as an elementary school teacher at Magnolia school in Riverside. She has coached 13 and under age group girls to numbers Age Group National Championships. In 2005, her “Mary Poppins” team brought home the Gold medal at the U.S. Age Group Championships in Buffalo, NY. She has brought many figure, solo, duet, trio, and team titles to the AQuettes. Cheryl gives her young swimmers a solid foundation in synchro.

Linda Edwards Webb As a swimmer was a Collegiate National Champion for The Ohio State University. She previously served as Head Coach of RAQ and presently steps in from time to time to assist with coaching as needed. We all appreciate her knowledge and willingness to help.

Brittney Miller Brittney is a RAQ assistant coach and student at RCC who was a valuable member of the recently successful RAQ teams including the Over-All Junior Champion team of 2005. She has provided part time help to our youngest athletes while she furthers her education.

Ashley Coe Ashley is a former RAQ member who volunteers her time when she can to assist our beginner and recreational swimmers. We are happy to have Ashley pass on her enthusiasm for synchro to our members.

Thank you to the following athletes who have contributed to the success of the Riverside AQuettes this season!

Riverside AQuettes 10 and under age group

Caroline Csiszer Lion King Team Age: 7 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: I like synchro because I can be with my friends most of the time. Synchro is fun and my coach is very nice. I like competing because you can get ribbons and medals. Synchro is my very first sport and I really like it. Other interests/activities: Other activities include piano, rock climbing, and playing with my three dogs. Goals: My goals are to win a first place trophy.

Caitlyn Ashely Eno Baby Elephant Walk Age: 10 Years in synchro: First year I like RAQ because: it is fun and it is really exciting when you go to meets and stuff. The gel I don’t really like, but I deal with it! Other interests/activities: I like soccer, kickball, and basketball. Goals: Keep changing - wanted to be a writer, chef, actress. So obviously still deciding!

Merce Gerdes Baby Elephant Walk Age: 8 ½ Years in synchro: First year I like RAQ because: It’s fun. I like to perform. Because I have friends there. Other interests/activities: Reading, hiking, traveling, soccer, capture the flag. Goals: Have fun! Little known fact: I am going to Spain this summer

LylaClare Kosobucki Baby Elephant Walk Age: 9 Years in synchro: First year I like RAQ because: it is fun and I love my coach Miss Tiffany. It was hard at the beginning but now I love it. I love my teammates and my synchro buddy, Maddie. Other interests/activities: Dog Frisbee/agility/obedience. Visiting nursing homes with my poodle Moe-Noe. Singing, horseback riding, and art. Goals: to compete in dog agility, win in dog Frisbee, be on a synchro team that goes to nationals. Little known fact: I’m crazy for rainbows. My favorite color is red but I don’t like orange.

Cameron Lucky Baby Elephant Walk Age: 9 Years in synchro: First year I like RAQ because: It is a lot of fun. Other interests/activities: dance and swim team. Goals: to become an Olympian. Little known fact: I like to sing and dance.

Briana Milligan Lion King Team Age: 9 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: my team is nice and my sport is fun. Other interests/activities: I like basketball. Goals: To be a better swimmer. Little known fact: I like maht.

Riverside Aquettes 11-12 age group

Shelby Call Oklahoma Team Age: 11 ½ Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: I like choreography and improving my skills. Other interests/activities: I like reading, drawing, singing, acting, and dessert. Goals: To place at Nationals Little known fact: I can’t dance very well.

Emily Carter Oklahoma Team Age: 11 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: synchro is challenging, but it is extremely fun! Other interests/activities: Swimming/talking Goals: Going to the Olympics and winning FIRST at Nationals. Little known fact: I want to be a teacher.

Lauren Charbonneau Oklahoma Team Age: 12 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: my team tries really hard to do their best. You can do what you want to do and I love the water. Other interests/activities: Reading and math. I would like to be a doctor if swim doesn’t work out but I hope It does Goals: to become an Olympic swimmer and to compete in the Olympic Games. Little known fact: I tried every sport and hated them all. I tried synchro and loved it.

Hannah Connett Oklahoma Team Age: 12 Years in synchro: 3 I like RAQ because: it is mainly all girls and it is fun. Other interests/activities: I like to draw, and photography. Goals: My goal is to make it to Nationals and to go to a good college. Little known fact: My favorite television show is “Whale Wars.”

Katie Gillette Lion King Team Age: 11 Years in synchro: 1 I like RAQ because: I like to swim and be challenged. Other interests/activities: animals and showing goats Goals: To make it to the Olympics (in synchro.) Little known fact: I am a tomboy!

Maya Kotomori Lion King Team Age: 10 Years in synchro: 1 I like RAQ because: of good coaches, my wonderful teammates, and the challenge of the sport. Other interests/activities: violin, kung-fu, shopping, and reading Goals: I want to be a violinist, a college swimmer, and an author. Little known fact: I used to be a cheerleader.

Cherish Kretz Age: 12 Years in synchro: 1 Welcome to our team, Cherish!

Allison Milligan Age: 11 Years in synchro: 4 I like RAQ because: My teammates are funny and fun. I like synchro because you get to meet new people and travel around the world. Other interests/activities: I like to run and dive in summer, and to enjoy the pool with it is hot outside. Goals: My goal is to make it to the Olympics. Little known fact: I like Marie the cat from The Aristocats.

Catalina Nedelcu Oklahoma Team Age: 10 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: I like challenges so I try my best to be a good athlete. I like my team and the girls- we are good friends. Other interests/activities: I would like to be a veterinarian and a swimming coach. I read books about animals and enjoy watching the Discovery Channel and sports. Goals: To be a straight A student and to swim on the Olympic team. Little known fact: I have more than sixty toy cats in my collection so far.

Amber Nicole Leal Rivas Oklahoma Team Age: 12 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: I enjoy synchro because I love being in the water, and I like to compete. Other interests/activities: I love to read. The Twilight series is my favorite.

Danielle Rutledge Lion King Team Age: 11 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: My team is funny and fun to be around. The sport is also fun to watch and I love doing it. Other interests/activities: I love science, art, and designing wedding and evening gowns. Goals: to be an Olympic swimmer or an animal surgeon. Little known fact: I named my pillow “Doughnut.”

Courtney Vincent Lion King Team Age: 10 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: It’s the coolest thing to watch and do. Also I love all the coaches and have met some great friends on my team. Goals: To work as hard as I can and be the best I can, however I still want to beat Maddie in figures Little known fact: I love cooking (but hate cleaning up the mess.)

Maddie Webb Oklahoma Team Age: 11 Years in synchro: 3 I like RAQ because: Sparkly suits, green hair, and lots of friends. Other interests/activities: School, reading, speed swimming, and cooking. Goals: Scholarship to The Ohio State University for synchro and academics, to make it to the 2016 Olympics. Little known fact: I love reading classic children’s novels.

Lily Whitehouse Lion King Team Age: 11 Years in synchro: 2 I like RAQ because: It’s fun and I’ve made a lot of good friends. Other interests/activities: Playing soccer, going camping, and going to church. Goals: To have a trio next year and to become a synchro coach and a teacher. Little known fact: I LOVE accessories!!!

Riverside Aquettes 13-15 age group

Kezia Baldwin Showgirls Age: 12 Years in synchro: 4 I like RAQ because: My team likes to work hard. Each of them has a unique personality and they encourage each other. Other interests/activities: Collecting rocks, playing the piano, choir, water polo and diving in the summer time. Little known fact: I play chess and read funny stories, I also like helping my Dad build and assemble airplanes or any toys.

Arlette Gabrielle Carrion Junior/Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 14 Years in synchro: 7 I like RAQ because: because it is one of the best teams in the nation. Other interests/activities: I play the violin, I like reading the Twilight series, I enjoy building things. Goals: I would like to swim for a university and go to the Olympics. Little known fact: I was born underwater.

Elizabeth Davidson Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 13 Years in synchro: 6 I like RAQ because: RAQ coaches make it possible for me to achieve all of my goals, and it is a chance to be introduced to new swimmers and different types of coaching. Other interests/activities: Martial arts, springboard diving, computers, traveling and singing. Goals: to swim in college, to make National/Olympic Teams, and to graduate with a medical degree. Little known fact: I am planning on getting a medical degree and working as a physician/surgeon/CSI/European tour guide/dentist/marine biologist/NASA worker/computer person, and possibly coaching.

Lauren Olson Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 14 Years in synchro: 7 I like RAQ because: It is so much fun! I love being with friends and swimming routines. Other interests/activities: I love being on stage and enjoy ballet, theater, and modeling (when I have time.) I like photography and film making. I hope to work in these two areas. I am also interested in being a news anchor. Goals: I want to make the 13-15 national team this year and in the future, to receive a synchro scholarship. Little known fact: I am obsessed with Twilight and have spent a day on a movie set with Christian Slater!

Shea Ramsey Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 13 Years in synchro: 5 I like RAQ because:. Other interests/activities: Goals: Little known fact:

Katie Vahl Showgirls Age: 12 Years in synchro: 5 I like RAQ because: We get to travel to a lot of places and RAQ has really good coaching. Other interests/activities: I like to run cross country and track, and I am a very good artist. Goals: To make it to National Team in the next couple of years. Little known fact: I hate flower caps…Oh, so much…

Riverside Aquettes 16-18 age group

Finja Becker Junior/Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 17 Years in synchro: 7 I like RAQ because: Everybody is working hard in the club and tries to do the best, but also we’ve a lot of fun together. Other interests/activities: shopping, going out with friends, reading, listen to music, just having fun lol Goals: To go with the German National Team to Olympia 2012 Little known fact: I’m playing the flute in an orchestra, ohhh and by the way I’m the German girl lol

Carolina Davidson Junior/Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 16 Years in synchro: 5 I like RAQ because: I like RAQ because I have a chance to meet new friends and coaches and it is an opportunity to improve and make reaching my goals possible. Other interests/activities: Martial arts, water polo, speed swimming, traveling, and Snoopy from Peanuts. Goals: To swim in college, to perform a variety of sports, and earn a PhD. Little known fact: I share my mother’s name because we were sick before I was born and the doctor said that only one of us was going to make it.

Cynthia Ni Junior/Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 15 Years in synchro: 4 I like RAQ because: This is my first year swimming on RAQ, and it has been very exhilarating and rewarding to my synchro experience. Also, being surrounded by some of the best in the sport inspires me to work hard every day. Other interests/activities: Theatre, dancing, and philanthropy work through National Charity League. Goals: To pursue a higher education at Stanford University. Little known fact: I have been modeling/acting since I was 5.

Katherine Ni Junior/Age Group Team Gladiator Age: 15 Years in synchro: 4 I like RAQ because: Being on RAQ lets me reach my highest potential as a synchronized swimmer, and I enjoy working with all the other hard working swimmers and coaches and making new friends. Other interests/activities: Acting, modeling, dancing, and philanthropy work through national Charity League. Goals: To pursue a higher education at Stanford University. Little known fact: I have been a member of Screen Actors Guild since I was 9.

Courtney Nicholson Junior Team Gladiator Age: 15 Years in synchro: 8 I like RAQ because: I like performing my solo. Other interests/activities: I like water polo, speed swimming, and hanging out with friends. Goals: To go to the Olympics, and to become a lawyer and a judge. Little known fact: I like watching crime scene movies.

Lauren Nicholson Junior Team Gladiator Age: 17 Years in synchro: 9 I like RAQ because: I like all of the friends that I make here as well as from around the world. Other interests/activities: hanging out with my friends, sleeping, and eating good food. I speed swim for my school. Goals: my goals are to attend Stanford University and the 2012 Olympics. Little known fact: I can touch my nose with my tongue.

Paige Ramsey Junior Team Gladiator Age: 18 Years in synchro: 11 I like RAQ because: Synchro is challenging, but all the hard work pays off. It is entertaining to watch, fun to swim, and I feel a real connection with the rest of my team while performing. I love my teammates! Throughout the year we have to accomplish our goals. Other interests/activities: Spending time with friends. Goals: I will be swimming with the US National Championship team from The Ohio State University in the Fall! Little known fact: I used to be afraid of lakes, the ocean, or any open water where I could not see the bottom.

Cindy Serrano Junior Team Gladiator Age: 17 Years in synchro: 9 I like RAQ because: I love that I have made friends from all over the US at camps, competitions, and in the club. Other interests/activities: I love to hang out with my friends- singing, dancing, text messaging, and scuba. Goals: To go to college. Little known fact: Shhh- When I was about five, I was on Sesame Street!

GLADIATOR

WHAT WE DO IN LIFE…

ECHOES IN ETERNITY

THANK YOU TO OUR GREAT

RAQ COACHES!

SWIM WITH

PRIDE!

RIVERSIDE!

GLADIATOR