Artistic Swimming | 4/18/2024 2:41:00 PM
HOUSTON, Texas (April 18, 2024) - For the first time in program history a Pioneer attends the 2024 US Senior National Championships and medals in the solo event. Candela Fidalgo Garcia took second place competing against the best American athletes in the country.
After the culmination of the 2024 US Collegiate National Championships where the Pioneers achieved an historic third place overall finish, and Fidalgo ended her first season as a soloist for the Pioneers placing fourth in the solo event, the sophomore from Vigo, Spain went on to represent TWU at the 2024 US Senior National Championships.
This is the biggest and most important national competition in the United Stated for clubs, in which international clubs and universities are invited to attend. For the first time in program history, TWU attended this event with Fidalgo as a representative in the senior category.
The competition started on Thursday, April 11 with the senior free solo preliminaries where Fidalgo Garcia swam a base mark free routine and advanced to finals in the second position just behind Ana Martinez from Walnut Creek Aquanuts.
Fidalgo Garcia swam her spider man inspired solo routine that she debuted three weeks prior at Collegiate Nationals where she unfortunately received a base mark in her last element and finished in fourth place.
With another base mark free routine as the goal for the final event, Fidalgo Garcia swam her best routine of the season yet for the free solo final on Saturday, April 13.
Fidalgo Garcia performed another full credit, no base mark solo routine for her final swim at the championships and took home the silver medal for the Pioneers.
This marks the first medal for the program at the 2024 US Senior National Championship and the last competition of the season for TWU artistic swimming.
With big goals ahead and eagerness to continue improving, Fidalgo Garcia will return home for the summer and come back in the fall for her junior year to lead the Pioneers next season. Fidalgo Garcia's goal is to continue to make history in the United States and put TWU at the top of the podium at the national stage.
-PIONEERS-
