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Divers from Southampton Diving Academy took 12 of the 24 medals on offer at the Peter Waterfield Novice Invitational Competition held at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex and came away with the team trophy with a clear margin ahead of their rivals. In all 48 young hopefuls from the club took to the boards to battle it out with teams from across the South of England. In the youngest girls' competition SDA made a clean sweep, taking all three medals. Gold medalist, Alexandra Thorne (9), who has only been diving with the club for just over a year, put in some excellent dives, with three scoring 8's from some judges. Team mate, Chelsey Stewart (8), who is also coached by Charly Tomkys, was close behind, scoring 194.9 to Alexandra's 200. The third medalist was Lucie Baines (9) who took her bronze with style, including a forward tuck roll that attracted one score of 8.5 points. In the oldest age group both gold medals were taken by Southampton divers. Olivia Rogers (15) and Oliver Brownlow (16), who are both members of the clubs "A Team" recreational squad, put in steady performances to come away with the top prizes. Hannah Milam (13), Lewis Gosling (13), Moyra Ferrier (14) and Chris Lingard (14) all took silver medals in their respective age groups with Bethany Gibbons (11), Jack Keogh (10) and Charlie Rigelsford (14) adding to the medals tally with bronze places. Jamie Munday (12), diving as a guest, took first place in his event. The competition was also an opportunity for divers to make the qualifying standard to go to the National Skills final in Plymouth in July 2008. In all 20 Southampton divers made the score and will be aiming to make a good showing at the nationals next year. Some of the divers will go on to compete at the Southampton Invitational Gala Competition at the weekend, hoping to make qualifying standards for the next level up, the National Age Groups Competition, to be held at the Quays in March 2008. Lindsey Fraser, Director of Coaching, was delighted with the results. "We have some very promising young divers performing at this level, who have a great future ahead of them," she said. "The hard work and commitment of both divers and coaches allowed some good results this weekend." Full results are as follows: Alexandra Thorne, gold; Chelsey Stewart, silver; Lucie Baines, bronze; Gabriella Hebert, 6th; Aimee Coppin, 7th; Miranda Dibden, 8th; Daniel Whitehead, 4th; Rory McCallum, 5th; Jordan Gregson, 6th; Max Cott; 8th; James Nicholson, 9th; Scott Palmer, 11th; William Osborne, 12th; Alistair Millard, 13th; Kieran Sharley, 14th; Bethany Gibbons, bronze; Chloe Bowers, 5th; Louise Brown, 7th; Jack Keogh, bronze; Brandon Parker, 5th; Jamie Bushnell, 9th; Aaron Knight, 10th; Harry Talbot, 12th; Callum-Lee Barnes, 13th; Callum Weldon, 14th; Hannah Milam, silver; Danielle Barnes, 4th; Jamie Munday (guest), 1st; Lewis Gosling, silver; Lewis Brown, 4th; James Adam, 7th; Joe Argall, 8th; Kieran Angove, 9th; Stuart McCallum, 10th; Olivia Rogers, gold; Moyra Ferrier, silver; Rosie Pope, 5th; Rosalind James, 7th; Beverley Angove, 8th; Jess Pike, 11th; Emma Dawson, 12th; Oliver Brownlow, gold; Chris Lingard, silver; Charlie Rigelsford, bronze; Jordan Webster, 4th; Hamish Travis, 5th; Sam Colmer, 6th; Sam Mason, 7th |
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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. |