TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW — A Western New York native has officially etched her name into the Olympic history books!
Anita Alvarez and her teammates took home the silver medal in artistic swimming in Paris on Wednesday.
This is Team USA's first medal in the sport in two decades.
It was a moment the Town of Tonawanda Aquettes would not miss. I spoke with current Aquettes at Wednesday night's watch party about seeing one of their own win on the world's biggest stage.
🏊♀️🇺🇸 A watch party is taking place for #Amherst native Anita Alvarez, a synchronized swimmer who won a #silver medal today in Paris! I’m speaking with the #TownofTonawanda Aquettes about their excitement witnessing a fellow #WNY’er competing in the #Olympics! #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8GzBGM8vt1
— Pheben Kassahun WKBW (@PhebenKassahun) August 7, 2024
"It's extremely difficult. I think it's one of the hardest sports in the world. It's so rewarding and it's so fun to do," Town of Tonawanda artistic swimmer Maisy Flemming told me.
Flemming, who is 15 years old and in her eighth year of artistic swimming, is part of a team of roughly 30 girls for the Town of Tonawanda Aquettes.
"It's like you're dancing in the water but you can't breathe and it takes just as much energy as a land sport, where you're running except you are not able to keep coming up for air, over and over. You're out of breath which is a big part of it," Flemming said.
You can see a younger Maisy here in her first year in the sport, standing next to Anita.
"It's amazing to watch her and the rest of her team do what they really love and what they've been working for, especially how it's connected to us and how hard we work to see them work so hard," Town of Tonawanda artistic swimmer Kalie Takacs explained. "It's really cool because we admire them so much."
Takacs is in her 9th year of artistic swimming.
"My mom was also a synchronized swimmer," Takacs shared. "So, it's really just something that she got me into that I've grown to love."
Here is a photo of Takacs' mom in the front on the far left. Former Town of Tonawanda Aquettes coach and Anita's mother, Karen Alvarez, can be seen on the far right holding baby Anita.
"They can do it too," Town of Tonawanda Aquettes coach Kahle Bostaph said. "Anyone can do it. She started when she was three. Her mom was the head coach before me and always in the pool and she just dedicated her life and with dedication, you can do absolutely anything."
Now in her second year as head coach with the team, Bostaph shared how she and Anita swam together and were on the same team.
"I swam with her. She was still great back then. We won in 2010 the National Championships together and she was always great back then. I knew then," Bostaph said.
For the Aquettes to witness one of their own representing the USA, the feeling is unexplainable.
"It's incredible to be here and see Anita on the TV and think like, "wow, she came from here,'" Flemming added. "We've gotten to meet her and see her in the Olympics competing and winning. It's incredible and it's so motivating."
The Olympic dream can also be yours.
Sunday, Aug. 11, the Town of Tonawanda Aquettes are hosting a Try-It Day from Noon-1:30 p.m.
This is for anyone interested in trying the sport! It is free and open to boys and girls. You can sign your child up here.
