Weist said she noticed a lot of zebra and leopard print leotards about a year and a half ago and snagged them while the fashion was in vogue.
The synchronized swimming team will perform Sunday and next weekend at the YWCA as a fundraiser to support the team.
In the show, about 30 swimmers - who range in age from 8 years old to 17 - will act out scenes from the "The Lion King" on the deck of the pool and then splash into the water to swim during songs. Large sheets of painted paper make up the scenery, along with a decorated rolling staircase that embodies Pride Rock.
Weist said this is the 30th year for the fundraiser and that such performances bring out different personalities in the swimmers.
"In the show, they can be silly," she said. "We like it because it helps them get better for competition, as far as expression."
Amanda Heathcote, 16, has been on the team for six years and will play Scar.
She said she has fun pretending to be the evil character. She also likes some of the funnier moments in the show, such as interactions among the hyenas and between Timon and Pumbaa.
Amanda said these performances are more showy compared with competitions.
"We're doing a lot of things that are appealing to the audience," she said, adding that floats are a big crowd pleaser. "They look really nice, but in competition, that wouldn't score really well."
Weist said the event gives exposure to synchronized swimming and might spark interest in new swimmers.
The YWCA will hold a free synchronized swimming clinic for girls who swim at a level four and above in October. If the girls do well at the clinic, coaches invite them to join the Synchro-ettes.
- Leigh Zaleski,
FlipSide staff
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