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Members of Southampton Diving Academy were victorious on their own turf when they took the team trophy at the recent "Gavin Brown Love to Dive" competition, held at their home pool. Taking 10 medals between them, half of them golds, the divers gave an encouraging performance, taking on 4 other clubs from across the South of England and winning the team event with 174 points against their nearest rivals, Star Diving Club of Guildford, who scored 115. Top achievers on the team were Emily Martin (8), Ben Hufton (9), Harry Talbot (11), Ashley Cresswell (11) and Sam Sturt (16) who all took gold medals in their events. Emily, diving in the youngest age group, took gold in the springboard event with an outstanding forward pike fall attracting a score of 8 from two Judges. In the corresponding boys group, Ben matched his team mate by taking gold with a forward pike fall as his best dive. Opening with a forward dive in the tucked position off the 1m springboard that scored 6's from all judges, Harry went on to perform a steady list of dives, his consistency earning him his title. Team mate Ashley also showed his potential on high board, managing to produce a solid list of dives which earned him the top slot over some fellow Southampton divers in a closely fought contest. Taking the boys 14-18 high board title, Sam Sturt, a newcomer to the sport of diving from gymnastics, dived exceptionally well to take the gold medal by an impressive 44.05 points from his nearest rival. Sam's back one and a half somersaults with a half twist attracted a score of 7.5 from one of the judges. Sam followed his gold with a bronze on springboard in a closely contested competition. Sam's coach, Lindsey Fraser, Southampton's Director of Coaching said "This was a fantastic experience for all the divers competing today. We were treated to a fine display of elite diving from Blake Aldridge, Olympian, Gary Hunt 4th in World high dive and Max Brick Youth Olympics silver medallist, which everyone was thrilled with. The day was a resounding success." Full Results: Springboard. Emily Martin, gold; Katya sheath, silver; Jordan Wilkins, 5th; Ashleigh Wilkins, 7th; Nicole Woodbridge, 5th; Charly Capon, 4th; Rosa Tallack,5th; Ben Hufton, gold; Wilf Nicholson, silver; Harrison Williams, 4th; Peter Dowse, 5th; Dylan Lakeman-Brown, 7th; Thomas Graham, bronze; Ashley Cresswell, 4th; Charlie Stockley, 7th; Harry Talbot, gold; James Wood, 5th; Edward Quinton, 6th; Nicholas Smith, 7th; Sam Sturt, bronze; Callum Swann, 4th; David Howes, 6th; Nathan Burton, 7th. Highboard. Ashley Cresswell, gold; Wilf Nicholson, silver; Sam Sturt, gold. |
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| For further details call Lindsey Fraser on 023 8072 0922 / 07810 305355 or email lindsey.fraser@southampton.gov.uk. |