“Open, open, close, close, close,” Becky Diel commanded, while festooning her daughter’s eyes with eyeliner, shadow and mascara, getting her makeup perfect for her synchronized swimming routine.

That’s the glamour part of synchronized swimming. That part happens after all the work, perfecting figures and routines. Behind the headpieces, make-up and sequined swimming suits lies a sport that promotes teamwork, creativity, a healthy lifestyle and exercise. And practice. A lot of practice.

“If you have a lot of free time and like to swim, it’s good to do,” said Samantha Diel, Becky Diel’s 11-year-old daughter who is in her second year as a member of the Davis AquaStarz Synchronized Swimming Team. “You’re in the water all the time.”

Samantha said she wasn’t nervous while waiting to perform her routine, the first she had performed at a championship meet. She had joined the AquaStarz too late in the year last year to learn a routine in time for the Valley-Foothills Competitive Aquatics League meet. But on July 17 of this year, she and partner Meili Monk were ready to swim to the popular tune “Whip My Hair.”

The Davis team boasts 30 competitive members this year, among the largest AquaStarz team since it began about 12 years ago. Rose Cholewinski, owner of Davis’ SwimAmerica, started the team at the Davis Athletic Club pool. After few years, the team members grew out of that pool and started practicing in the city’s deeper pools. Like water polo, synchronized swimming must be performed in deep water.

Cholewinski is still involved in the team, sponsoring the “try it” classes for young Junior AquaStarz team members in her SwimAmerica pool and serving as mistress of ceremonies for the team’s annual show. That starting class caught the interest of 16 girls this summer, and many are expected to move up from the Junior AquaStarz and join the team’s novice group.

“Practices will be a little more crowded in the pool,” said AquaStarz President Cyndi Hughes, “Especially with Community Pool closing. But having more team members is a good problem to have, and we’ll manage with reduced pool times.”

Meanwhile, Emily Knighton, 15, one of the newest members of the team, was land drilling her routine with Megan Wong and Tess Van Schoor. Land drilling is when a routine is practice out of the pool, with arm movements taking the place of leg movements.

“I think this is fun and different from anything I’ve ever tried,” said Knighton. She said it has allowed her to combine her dance background with a love of swimming in a unique experience.

Plus, it is a sport that can be taken up at a later age, she pointed out. Unlike soccer and softball players, synchronized swimmers can start as young as five (if they can swim the length of a 25-meter pool) or as old as 18 (in this league; masters classes are available in Sacramento and women well into their 80s are known to compete).

“I’ve met a lot of girls at other meets who started out later and have had great successes,” Knighton said.

She followed that trend. Knighton placed fourth in her swimming category, quite an accomplishment for a first-year synchronized swimmer.

An Olympic sport, synchronized swimming has found a niche in many countries. Russia recently won gold in the World Championships and is expected to be the team to beat at the Olympics in London next summer. Many Californians are on the U.S. team and many of them hail from programs in Walnut Creek, Temecula, and Santa Clara.

AquaStarz is a part of a recreational league that competes with teams from the Fulton-El Camino park district, Auburn, Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova. The Davis team placed third in its championship meet earlier this month – the best showing the team has had.

Several years ago, AquaStarz talked dads and brothers into performing in the team’s annual show, not only to add to the atmosphere, but to demonstrate how physically difficult it is to do synchronized swimming. It won the team new respect from the dads and brothers, who make up their own “routine” for the crowd.

That routine and many others will be featured at the AquaStarz annual show on August 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Community Pool. Tickets are just $5 in advance and can be ordered at www.aquastarz.org or purchased at the door.

Becky Diel has found that synchronized swimming has forged friendships, teamwork and general good health in her daughter, Samantha. There has even been an unexpected side benefit – Samantha has suffered half as many asthma attacks since she joined the team, Becky Diel said.

“There is friendship and teamwork among the parents, too,” Becky Diel said as Samantha walked to the pool area with coaches and other swimmers.

Samantha and Meili came in fourth for their routine for 12 and under duets. They seemed happy with the result. Will Samantha try for a higher score next year?

“Absolutely! There is no way I would not do this again,” she said.