As people waited to see how close their favorite basketball team would get to St. Louis or even Indianapolis, others watched as the Splashcats did some heavy damage in the pool.

The Splashcats competed against 27 other teams last week, placing ninth at the U.S. Collegiate Synchronized Swimming National Championship in Gainesville, Fla.

Arizona head coach Jill Ranucci said she would have loved for her team to place higher, but is pleased with where the team placed overall, considering the stiff competition.

Stanford, Ohio State, Alabama-Birmingham, Canisius and Florida all placed higher than the Wildcats.

"We had a great season. Everyone worked really hard and it paid off," Ranucci said. "I couldn't be happier and thrilled for my girls."

Strong routines from senior captain Michelle Meyer, as well as by teammates Alexandra Salas, Megan Zakerwski, Rachael Ranucci, Elizabeth Pilarski, Ami Kidder, Miranda Bobet and Kirsten Schnepp, allowed the team to place in the top 10 for the third consecutive year.

"I was really proud of everybody; the team swam really well," Meyer said. "The entire year we've been switching people in and out of spots, so before spring break we secured a lot of spots and everything came together."

The Splashcats host a meet the Student Recreation Center this weekend.

Meet Notes:

Senior Michelle Meyer received the Mary Jo Ruggieri Scholarship from the USA Synchronized Swimming Foundation. The award goes to an athlete who demonstrates team and community leadership.

"I had a really good ending to my career," Meyer said. "I was here to show everyone the ropes, and I am sure I'll be back next year to help."

This was not the first time Meyer was a candidate for the award.

"I nominated Michelle two years ago, so when they announced her name we were all so shocked and thrilled," Ranucci said.

The committee gave out four awards to players with grade point averages of 4.0 or above. Salas and Rachael Brekke also received awards.