Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - One Western New York native is bringing home a silver medal from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Anita Alvarez, a Kenmore West High School graduate and member of the USA Synchronized Swimming National Team, placed second with her United States teammates on Wednesday in an artistic swimming team event at the Paris Olympics.
The Athletic reports the victory marks the first Olympic podium finish for the U.S. in artistic swimming, formerly called synchronized swimming, since the Americans won bronze in the team and duet events at the 2004 Athens Games in Greece.
A group of young girls part of the Tonawanda Aquettes Artistic Swimming Team, a team that a young Alvarez was a member of, came to the Tonawanda Aquatic Center Wednesday to watch a live stream of the podium finish and celebrate.
"It's incredible to be here and see Anita on the TV, and think, 'Wow, she she came from here and we've got to meet her,' And then see her in the Olympics, competing and winning - it's incredible, it's so motivating and aspiring," said Maisy Fleming, a 15-year-old Tonawanda Aquette who has been on the competitive team for eight years.
The girls said during their watch party on Wednesday that Team USA came to Tonawanda and Kenmore and marched with them in the annual Memorial Day parade, came to their showcase, and they got held a practice with them.
"We admire them so much," added Kalie Takacs, who says she's been involved with synchronized swimming since she was 5-years-old.
The girls say perfecting artistic swimming take a lot of hard work, practice and repetition, but combining dance routines with the added challenge of doing them in water makes it a real challenge.
"We practice almost every day," says Tackas. "It's a lot of just repetition, doing things over-and-over again, trying new things, learning new skills, especially with the new changes in the sport. It's a lot to adjust to, but it's a really great experience."
Alvarez's team on Wednesday had a combined three-day score of 914.3421, with scores taken from the technical, free and acrobatic routines. China took home the gold with a score of 996.1389, while Spain got the bronze with a total of 900.7319 points.
The Tonawanda Aquettes are hosting a Artistic Swimming Try-It Day for those who might be interested in trying what the sport is all about. It takes place this Sunday, Aug. 11 from 12 p.m.-to-1:30 p.m. ET at Kenmore Pool on Mang Avenue.