PORT TOWNSEND — The Olympic Tsunami Synchronized Swimming team is flying to Oxford, Ohio, today to compete in its age group’s national championships.

The team of six girls, 13 to 15 years old, left the area just $700 short of its $8,000 fundraising goal for the U.S. Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships, where the team will compete Wednesday.

“We feel like we will be taking our whole community on that plane with us,” swimmer Raven Elias said of the support the team has received.

Team members have trained six days a week to prepare for the competition.

The team raised about $2,000 prior to a June 13 benefit at the Upstage Restaurant and Bistro in Port Townsend.

At the event, Make Waves! President Karen Nelson announced that her organization would provide a $2,500 matching grant.

The match was achieved at the benefit and with subsequent donations, bringing the total to more than $7,000.

In addition to Elias of Chimacum High School, the team includes Sarah Allen, also of Chimacum High School; and Keira Matkins, Tanner Matthew, Camille Ottaway and Hannah Welch of Port Townsend High School.

These six athletes won a bronze medal at the regional championships in Kirkland this spring, which qualified them for the national championships.

Variety of abilities

Matthew said synchronized swimming requires a variety of abilities.

“You need to have the flexibility of a gymnast, the grace of a dancer and the strength of a wrestler,” she said.

Coach Rowen Matkins said the team members eventually could land a spot on the U.S. Olympics synchronized swimming team.

The team will continue its fundraising effort when it returns from Ohio.

For more information or to contribute, email Matkins at rowan.h20@gmail.com.

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.