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Southampton Diving Academy is officially the top Junior Diving Club in England for 2007 following the National Junior Elite Competition held in Sheffield last week. A team of 19 divers, who train at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, took the Championships by storm, with three of their number scoring points that qualify them to represent Great Britain at the Junior European Championships later this summer. The scores from this competition when added to those made by divers at the National Age Groups Championships, held at the Quays over Easter, won the Academy the Dawdon Shield, the highest possible accolade at Junior level in England. Taking 3 individual gold medals Emily Alderman (15) qualified for Junior Europeans on platform, making good use of her newest dive, an inward 2 ½ somersaults piked from the 10m board. With scores of 7 ½ and 8 on the dive she made an overall score which would have taken the gold at Junior Europeans last year. With partner Fran Godfroy (16) she also took a silver medal in the 3m springboard synchronised event. Max Brick (15) also secured places in the GB team for both the 3m springboard and platform events. Taking 2 golds and a bronze medal in individual competitions he achieved a personal best in the 3m event and performed his best ever back 3 ½ somersaults in the tuck position from the 10m platform. His scores in both events would have put him on the rostrum at Junior Europeans last year. He went on to take a further gold medal with partner, Christopher Farrow (15) in the synchronised 3m springboard event, where their steady performance gave them their victory. The third member from Southampton who will join them in Trieste, Italy in July was Christopher Mears (14), qualifying for slots in the 1m and 3m springboard and platform events. Taking a gold and two silver medals in his individual competitions Chris was on target for a British record in his 3m springboard event, but the pressure in the final meant him trying just a little too hard and failing a dive. Even with this gap in his scores he still made the standard for his trip to Europe. His gold on the 1m board gave him his first ever national title. Together with partner, Jack Clewlow (16) he also took a silver medal in the 3m synchronised event. Other medallists were Bethany Watts (11), Chloe Pook (9), William Rigelsford (10), Ellie Fleming (11) and Sarah White (10). Chloe was the youngest competitor at the meet. Director of Coaching, Lindsey Fraser, was delighted by the results. "This was our most successful meet to date. I just want to congratulate all the divers, coaches and support staff for the brilliant outcome. Long may it continue!" Full results are as follows:
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| For further details call Lindsey Fraser: 023 8072 0922 / 07810 305355 or email Lindsey.fraser@southampton.gov.uk |
| Photo opportunities can be arranged |